(VOVworld)- President Truong Tan Sang left for Russia on Thursday to attend the 70th anniversary of Russia’s victory in the Great Patriotic War at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. President Sang’s presence at the celebration demonstrates the Vietnamese people’s unshakable friendship for the Russians.
President Truong Tan Sang will attend a Victory Day Parade in Moscow’s Red Square with 30 other state leaders and heads of international organizations. The parade will a large and imposing event involving more than 15,000 people and 200 military vehicles. President Sang’s trip to Russia creates an opportunity for the two countries to strengthen their friendship and cooperation.
State President Truong Tan Sang (R) welcomes his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Hanoi in 2013 |
Inspiring Vietnam’s struggles for national independence
70 years ago, Russia’s victory in the Great Patriotic War paved the way to building a progressive society and created favorable conditions for national liberation struggles against colonialism around the world. This victory inspired Vietnamese people to move forward from one victory to another. In an interview with Russian TV prior to this trip, President Truong Tan Sang said: “Your victory contributed greatly to the victory of the Vietnamese revolution in 1945 thus giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. 5 years later, the Soviet Union recognized the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam. This was a historic milestone in the relationship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union, now Russia”.
Model of faithful international relationship
The friendship and solid support of the Soviet Union at that time helped the Vietnamese people to win the triumphant victory in 1975 to liberate the south and unify the country. The Vietnamese - Soviet Union relationship has been a model of faithful international friendship. President Truong Tan Sang again:“Our presence at the 70th anniversary of Victory Day is foregone conclusion. Despite changes in the world and in each country, the friendship between the peoples of Vietnam and Russia never changes. This friendship is eternal”.
Vietnam-Russia ties have developed steadily over the years. In 2001, the two countries set up a strategic partnership and upgraded it to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012.
Achievements of today, faith in tomorrow
In 10 years of strategic partnership and 3 years of comprehensive strategic partnership, ties between Vietnam and Russia have gained major achievements that have contributed to the development of both countries. Both have promoted bilateral cooperation in various fields on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and have enhanced mutual trust and diversified forms of cooperation. Bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, oil, gas and electricity has been strengthened, while cultural cooperation has served as a bridge linking the two peoples.
President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to Russia and his presence at the 70th anniversary of Victory Day shows that lessons learned from the Great Patriotic War remain valuable today. Vietnam deeply understands that each phase of the Vietnamese revolution was closely tied to major developments in the former Soviet Union. In his message to Russia’s leaders on this occasion, President Truong Tan Sang said:“Time passes but the Vietnamese people never forget your affection and support for us in our national struggle for independence and in our current national construction effort. We wish the Russian people prosperity, strength and rising prestige in the international arena”.
Both countries and both peoples are determined to strengthen, and confident in the bright future of their bilateral ties.