Programme of Vietnam – Russia Conference of the Valdai Discussion Club
in partnership with Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)
“International Cooperation in a Troubled World”
Ho Chi Minh City, February 25-26, 2019
February 25, Monday
12:00 – 13:00 Conference Opening*
Introduction Speech by Andrey Bystritskiy, Chairman of the Board, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club
Introduction by Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Foreign Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam
Introduction by Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russian Federation
Moderator:
Questions and answers
13:00-14:00 Session 1. Security Issues in the Asian Region: Risks and Opportunities*
In the new strategic context, the Russian-Vietnamese relations have entered a new stage. China’s more assertive foreign policy, America’s heavy-handed actions and the breakup of many established international systems are crucial factors for the Russian-Vietnamese cooperation in the next five to ten years. The world has entered an era of multiple sanctions and trade wars, which are undermining the seemingly unshakeable foundations of globalization. What responses to these challenges can Russia and Vietnam suggest? How can they consider these factors in the world politics and international economy in the long-term planning of bilateral cooperation? What are the other challenges that could influence the development of the Russian-Vietnamese relations?
Moderator:
Speakers:
Sergey Afontsev, Corresponding Member, Russian Academy of Sciences; Head of the Department of Economic Theory, Primakov National Research Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO)
Andrey Bezrukov, Associate Professor, Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the MFA of Russia (MGIMO)
Đinh Đình Cường, Senior Lieutenant Colonel, Ministry of Public Security
Tran Viet Thai, Deputy Director General, The Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam
*Open Session
15:30 – 17:30 Session 2. Multilateral Cooperation in Asia and Eurasia
We live in a difficult time for the mechanisms and institutions of international cooperation. In both Asia and Eurasia, a new infrastructure is being shaped, which should be inclusive, encompassing the great powers, middle and small players. Mechanisms involving ASEAN, SCO, EAEU are being built, the EAEU-Vietnam FTA Agreement is being implemented, the Greater Eurasia’s future architecture is being discussed. What are the peculiarities of the roles of Russia and Vietnam in these processes? How do both sides see the future of architecture of multilateral cooperation in Asia and Eurasia? How efficient are the existing institutions?
Moderator:
Speakers:
Alexander Lomanov, Professor, RAS, Chief Researcher at the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO), RAS
Viktor Sumsky, Director of the ASEAN Center MGIMO University
Viktor Shakhmatov, Head of Analytical Department, Eurasian Economic Commission
Do Huong Lan, Associate Professor, Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy
Nguyễn Phương Bình, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
February 26, Tuesday
10:00 – 11:30 Session 3. Prospects of Vietnamese – Russian Relations
After a period of relative decline, the Russian-Vietnamese relations are returning to the traditionally active state. What have the two sides achieved over the past years? What are the obstacles to further enhancement of cooperation, as seen by Vietnamese and Russian experts? What new spheres of cooperation can be seen as the most promising ones?
Moderator:
Speakers:
Vladimir Mazyrin, Doctor of Economics, Director of the Far East Institute's Vietnam-ASEAN Research Centre under Russia's Science Academy
Anton Tsvetov, Foreign policy and security expert, Center for Strategic Research
Le Trac Vuong, Institute of International Relations, Ministry of Defense (IDIR)
Phan Ngọc Mai Phương, Vice President of the Viet Nam Institute for Development Strategies, Ministry of Planning and Investment
Nguyễn Vũ Hương Chi, Russian language lecturer, Dean of Faculty of Russian language & literature, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Hochiminh City.
11:40 – 12:00 Session 4. Closing of the Conference
Closing Remarks:
Nguyen Vu Tung, President, Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam
Andrey Bystritskiy, Chairman of the Board, Foundation for Development and Support of the Valdai Discussion Club