Photo for illustration (Source: Russian Defence Ministry)
As a political commentator for Russian mainstream media, Trophimchuk has monitored issues in the Southeast Asia and Vietnam in particular.
Hailing Vietnam as an important partner of Russia, he said the Vietnamese people have played an important role in fostering time-tested friendship with Russia.
According to him, Vietnam is the first country to sign the free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) since it began operation.
As the Vietnam - Russia ties are growing in diverse areas, the two countries set the goal of raising economic ties on par with political ties, with a two-way trade of USD10 billion by 2020, he said, suggesting that tourism and hi-tech could lift bilateral ties to a greater height.
He highly valued the Vietnamese business promotion activities in Russia, including the Eastern Economic Forum held annually under the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok city, the Far Eastern region.
Sharing impressions during his first visit to Vietnam, Trophimchuk said Hanoi is the first stop during his trans-Vietnam trip, followed by Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City.
He also expressed his impression about the country’s socio-economic achievements, saying the Vietnamese people, tourist destinations and food have left unforgettable memory in his mind.
According to him, Vietnam plays an increasingly significant role in Southeast Asia and the region. Whenever political commentators mention the Southeast Asia, Vietnam is almost put to the top.
According to Trophimchuk, Vietnam and Russia are organising various activities within the framework of the Vietnam Year in Russia and the Russia Year in Vietnam. High-level visits have been maintained with Russia visits by Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong in September 2018 and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in May 2019, which created a new driving force for bilateral relationship.
The scholar highlighted the need to bring images of Vietnam to more Russian people in the future, which could be attributable by experts who, he said, could talk about Vietnam at present and in the future./.