INTERVIEW: Belarusian tractor and Vietnamese dong, MAZs and milk. Ambassador of Belarus on the drivers of trade growth with Vietnam

Belarus considers Vietnam as one of the priority partners in the Asian direction and seeks to develop strategic partnership relations. The importance of this was noted in an interview with BelTA by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vladimir Borovikov. He drew attention to the fact that this is a jubilee year - the 30th anniversary of the Belarusian-Vietnamese diplomatic relations is celebrated. According to him, Belarus and Vietnam have long-standing close ties that began to develop since Soviet times, and there are many interesting pages in the history of friendship between the two peoples. Thus, thousands of Vietnamese citizens studied and worked in Belarus during the Soviet period, and Belarusians helped to establish an independent Vietnamese state.

- Vladimir Vladimirovich, what would you name as the main result in the political interaction between Belarus and Vietnam over this 30-year period?

- This year is really significant - 30 years ago Belarus and Vietnam established diplomatic relations. And during this period we have managed to achieve a lot.

I'll start with history - in December 1997, the trade mission of the Republic of Belarus in Vietnam was transformed into an embassy. In November 2003, the embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was opened in Belarus. And in May of this year, the Belarusian Consulate General began operating in the city of Ho Chi Minh City.

Undoubtedly, the most important political milestones in our history are visits at the highest and high levels. The leaders of Belarus and Vietnam have made three mutual visits since the establishment of diplomatic relations. The leadership of our countries is well aware of the topical issues on the bilateral cooperation agenda. We hope that this year it will be possible to organize the visit of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus to Vietnam, which should become a new stage in the development of Belarusian-Vietnamese relations.

In addition, inter-parliamentary ties are being strengthened. So, at the end of 2021, friendship groups were formed. Interaction between foreign ministries is carried out on a regular basis, and the last inter-MFA consultations were held in January 2022.

Along with this, cooperation within the framework of international organizations is successfully developing, and serious mutual support is being provided on human rights issues and other issues of mutual interest.

Belarus and Vietnam have formed a solid contractual and legal base - more than 85 agreements have been concluded, which cover almost all areas of activity.

However, as the main achievement, I would note the preservation of sincere friendship between Belarusians and Vietnamese. Our countries have a lot in common. The Vietnamese people, like the Belarusian people, throughout their history have learned to survive and resist aggression. In the Republic of Belarus July 3 is a public holiday - Independence Day. We survived and restored the country. We cherish the memory of that war, which for us will forever remain the Great and Patriotic War.

Today, Belarus is again being denied the right to an equal and mutually respectful dialogue, the right to live on its own land according to its own laws. They do not listen to us and do not want to hear. Labels are hung on us, countless and baseless sanctions are imposed . Our friends and partners are under unprecedented pressure.

I want to note that Belarus has never been friends against or to the detriment of anyone. It has always proceeded from the need to ensure mutual benefit and take into account the interests of partners, even when they have taken unfriendly steps. We have always felt responsible, we have been a donor of security and stability in Europe. That is why our state has done, is doing and will do everything in its power to peacefully resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

We highly value friendly ties with Vietnam and strive to bring our relations to the level of strategic partnership.

- In the context of the current world situation, unfortunately, we have to state the destruction of traditional trade exchanges between different states, the painful breakdown of production and logistics ties. It seems that in the case of Vietnam, everything is just the opposite?

- The tasks that HEAD of State ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO set for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Belarusian foreign agencies to increase trade in new markets largely concern the region of Southeast Asia.

Over the 30-year period that has passed since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Belarus, Vietnam has achieved impressive success in the socio-economic development. Belarus considers Vietnam as one of the priority partners in the Asian direction and seeks to develop strategic partnership relations.

Yes, indeed, today the Belarusian-Vietnamese relations are characterized by positive dynamics: the trade turnover for the first time in many years exceeded $200 million, exports and imports are on a parity basis (about $100 million) with a positive balance of more than $5 million.

High-capacity dump trucks BELAZ, MAZ trucks, tractors "Belarus" have been known in Vietnam for many decades. By the way, it is the Belarusian tractor that is depicted on the banknote of 200 Vietnamese dong. Many Vietnamese are nostalgic for the legendary MINSK motorcycle, which has become one of the symbols of post-war Vietnam. In turn, the Belarusian consumer is well acquainted with such traditional Vietnamese goods as silk, seafood, tea, coffee. Recently, Vietnamese microcircuits, electronic equipment under the brand "Made in Vietnam" have become widely known. The supply of Vietnamese fruits has great potential.

I would like to note that the work of the embassy is largely focused on the development of economic ties, primarily in industrial cooperation, the creation of joint ventures and assembly plants, and the improvement of the commodity distribution network. By the way, there is a representative office of MAZ in Vietnam, a joint venture MAZ-Asia. Work is underway to create a joint production facility for the production of dairy products.

Undoubtedly, the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam has given an additional impetus to the development of trade and economic relations between our countries. The removal of barriers made it possible to enter the Vietnamese market of Belarusian dairy products, which are of high quality and a wide range.

We see great potential in expanding the supply of agricultural products to Vietnam. By the way, work is underway to certify MEAT. There is an interest of the Vietnamese side in the purchase of Belarusian confectionery and alcoholic beverages.

The existing great potential of the Belarusian-Vietnamese cooperation allows us to talk about the possibility of multiplying the achieved results and realizing the tasks set by the President of Belarus. Of course, this will require the coordinated work of all interested ministries and departments, and more strenuous efforts by our enterprises to increase exports.

The results of 2021 strongly confirm that we have such prospects. I believe that there are no unsolvable tasks for us, even taking into account the urgent need to revise the methods and methods of trade, logistics routes.

- And what about bilateral humanitarian cooperation?

- In the relations between our countries, the folk wisdom "a friend in need is known" has a special meaning. Thus, in December last year, Belarus delivered to Vietnam a humanitarian cargo with a total weight of more than 15 tons, containing medical equipment and personal protective equipment. In response, the Vietnamese side handed over tests to Belarus to determine the presence of CORONAVIRUS infection. Such mutual support means a lot.

- Belarus and Vietnam are united by friendly relations based on ties that were formed back in the days of the former Soviet Union, especially through student exchanges...

- More than 2,000 Vietnamese citizens have received higher education in Belarus. However, in recent years, the number of Vietnamese studying in Belarus has indeed decreased, which causes some concern. Over the past few years, the Embassy has been carrying out purposeful work to solve this problem.

In order to give an additional impetus to cooperation in the field of education, the embassy initiated the signing of an intergovernmental agreement in a new edition and the holding of the Days of Belarusian Education in Hanoi, combined with a visit to Vietnam by the Prime Minister of Belarus. We hope that the updated agreement will significantly simplify access to Belarusian education.

Along with this, I will note that cooperation in the field of science is being strengthened, and direct ties between the universities of our countries are also developing. The Embassy, ​​as far as possible, tries to assist Belarusian institutions of higher education in establishing cooperation with Vietnamese partners. Thus, with the participation of a foreign institution, last month the Belarusian State Academy of Music and the Vietnamese National Academy of Music signed a cooperation agreement, which is very promising in terms of developing contacts.

In April 2022, with the assistance of the Embassy, ​​a delegation of heads of Belarusian scientific and practical institutes, as well as institutions of higher education, visited the Vietnam Academy of Sciences and Technology, as a result of which a number of important agreements were reached. Cooperation between the Women's Union of Vietnam and the Belarusian Women's Union has been established. We initiated the intensification of contacts between the largest youth organizations in Belarus and Vietnam - the Belarusian Republican Youth Union and the Communist Youth Union named after Ho Chi Minh. I am confident that the energy and creativity of our talented youth will become a source of useful initiatives and ambitious projects.

I see that in Vietnam there is also a request for the use of Belarusian sports facilities, as well as the desire of Vietnamese athletes to take part in international sports events that take place on the territory of our country. We are ready to assist this process in every possible way.

- Coronavirus restrictions are gradually being lifted, with this in mind, can we count on the intensification of tourist exchanges? And are there any prospects for opening direct flights between Belarus and Vietnam?

- Belarusian citizens know and love the resorts of Vietnam well, but, unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic has had a negative impact on the tourist flow. Belarusians like the weather in Vietnam, affordable service and many other advantages compared to other countries.

An important decision of the Vietnamese authorities was the resumption of the visa-free regime for Belarusians (for up to 15 days). Needless to say, the simplification of visa formalities contributes not only to a significant influx of tourists, but also to the development of business ties.

The Embassy makes a lot of efforts to popularize the tourism potential of our country among Vietnamese citizens.

The expansion of ties would be facilitated by the establishment of direct flights between our countries. The Embassy, ​​in contact with those concerned, is intensively working on this issue.

By the way, at the beginning of the year, a thematic photo exhibition was organized on the basis of the Vietnamese House of Friendship about the tourism opportunities of Belarus on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

We plan to continue this tradition and demonstrate an exposition within the framework of the Year of Historical Memory dedicated to the genocide of the Belarusian people during the Great Patriotic War. This topic is close to the Vietnamese with their partisan pages of history. And this brings us even closer.

In the future, we are considering the possibility of holding an exhibition event on the basis of the National Library of Vietnam, certain agreements have already been reached.

- Vladimir Vladimirovich, the cultural vector traditionally contributes to the strengthening of mutual understanding between peoples. How are relations developing in this direction?

- Belarus and Vietnam have historically maintained close contacts in the cultural sphere. Our country has always treated the people of Vietnam with respect and warmth, known for their ideological steadfastness and diligence, ancient history and rich cultural traditions. Admittedly, these feelings are mutual.

This year, the leadership of the Vietnamese specialized department sent a greeting video message to the guests and participants of the Slavianski Bazaar, and the State Orchestra of Folk Instruments of Vietnam, whose musicians traditionally accompany the Vietnamese leader at official events, recorded a musical passage and warm wishes especially for the Belarusian public. Very soon you will be able to see our Vietnamese friends on the official website of the festival.

We are also making efforts to develop cooperation between the two countries in the field of cinematography. We are ready to launch theme evenings of Belarusian cinema in Hanoi.

In addition, a lot of routine and technical work is carried out, which is not always visible to the layman. Participation in international cultural events of Vietnamese representatives is being worked out. Work is underway to update cooperation programs between the responsible departments of the two countries. In addition, joint webinars are held aimed at popularizing the multinational cultures of our countries.

I am sincerely convinced that great prospects for cooperation are open before us, and the traditional, sincere friendship of our peoples is the foundation on which dynamically developing Belarusian-Vietnamese relations are built.

Alina GRISHKEVICH,

BELTA.