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Russian Ambassador to Vietnam A. G. Kovtun.

Speaking to the local media in the year-end meeting Wednesday, December 25, the Russian ambassador said that the transfer of equipment and the most modern technology to ensure safe operation of the nuclear power plant 1 in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district, Ninh Thuan province is the principle approved by the two countries.

With the support of the Rosatom Atomic Energy Corporation, Russian professional organizations have reached the stage of finishing preparation of technical and economic feasibility study for the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant project.

In May 2010, Russia was selected as the provider of technology for the nuclear power plant 1 in Ninh Thuan province. This is one of two plants under the first nuclear power project in Vietnam. The plant – with a total capacity of 2,000 MW - will be built from 2014 and will begin generating electricity in 2020.

Kovtun said Russia would not only support the construction of the first nuclear power plant but also help Vietnam in training experts array and develop nuclear energy sciences.

The Center for Science and Nuclear Technology in Vietnam, which is expected to become one of the leading scientific centers of Southeast Asia, is being implemented by the two countries.

In 2013, Russia granted more scholarships for Vietnamese students to study nuclear sciences in Russia.

In April, to increase interest in nuclear science, Russia organized a physics Olympiad competition for Vietnamese students, with the participation of over 600 children. The winners get the chance to study in Russia.

According to Kovtun, promoting cooperation on nuclear energy in particular and cooperation with Vietnam in general is one of the main priorities of Russian foreign policy in Asia.

The comprehensive partnership between Russia and Vietnam in recent years continued to grow in all areas, from investment to trade, energy, national defense, education, culture...

In the January-October period, the bilateral trade turnover between the two countries reached $3.15 billion, a slight increase compared to the same period of last year (two percent). The objective of Vietnam and Russia is to bring two-way trade to $7 billion in 2015 and $10 billion in 2020.

"I hope the current positive trend in relations between the two countries will continue to be developed and supported by the two sides," said Ambassador Kovtun. "This is very important because the development of multifaceted relations between Russia and Vietnam will aid the economic and technological progress of the two countries and contribute to the consolidation of peace and stability in the Asia- Pacific region."