Manila, July 22, 2026 – The Europe Today: Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung has called on ASEAN and Russia to accelerate economic cooperation, expand collaboration in emerging sectors, and strengthen people-to-people ties to transform the commitments of both sides’ leaders into tangible outcomes.
Speaking at the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with Russia on Wednesday, held on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-59) in Manila, Trung described the ASEAN–Russia Commemorative Summit held in Kazan in June to mark the 35th anniversary of dialogue relations as a significant milestone that reaffirmed the strategic importance of the partnership and created fresh momentum for future cooperation.
The Vietnamese foreign minister urged both sides to make breakthroughs in economic collaboration, setting a target of increasing two-way trade to US$45 billion by 2035. He also called for swift implementation of the ASEAN–Russia Joint Declaration on Energy Cooperation, highlighting the need to develop strategic fuel reserves, expand liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade, and deepen cooperation in renewable energy, civil nuclear power, and energy-efficient technologies.
Emphasizing future-oriented cooperation, Trung proposed strengthening partnerships in science, technology and innovation, joint research, startup ecosystems, digital transformation, and cybersecurity. He stressed the importance of maximizing the ASEAN–Russia ICT Security Dialogue and enhancing collaboration on digital transformation, including support for implementing the Hanoi Convention against Cybercrime.
In the socio-cultural sphere, Trung advocated for closer people-to-people connectivity through tourism promotion, expanded direct air links, and increased youth exchanges. He also reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to successfully hosting the Second ASEAN–Russia Young Diplomats Meeting in 2027.
Addressing regional and international issues, the Vietnamese minister emphasized the importance of upholding international law and the United Nations Charter, promoting dialogue, building mutual trust, and resolving disputes through peaceful means. He welcomed Russia’s constructive role in the region and its continued support for ASEAN centrality and the bloc’s common positions on issues affecting regional peace, security, and stability.
Looking ahead to Vietnam’s role as the coordinator of ASEAN–Russia relations for the 2027–2030 period, Trung pledged to work closely with ASEAN member states and Russia to further strengthen the ASEAN–Russia Strategic Partnership in ways that deliver practical benefits to the people of both sides while contributing to regional peace, stability, and sustainable development.
During the meeting, delegates reviewed progress made under the ASEAN–Russia Strategic Partnership following the commemorative summit marking 35 years of dialogue relations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow’s commitment to implementing the agreements reached by ASEAN and Russian leaders and underscored the strategic partnership’s importance for regional peace, stability, and cooperation. He proposed expanding collaboration in political and security affairs, counterterrorism, transnational crime, cybersecurity, maritime cooperation, trade and investment, energy, food security, fertilizers, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, education, youth exchanges, and cultural cooperation.
Lavrov also expressed Russia’s readiness to support stronger engagement between ASEAN and regional organizations, including the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
ASEAN foreign ministers welcomed Russia’s continued support for ASEAN centrality and its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms, including the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus). They also called for enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, energy, digital transformation, science and technology, and people-to-people exchanges.
