Moscow (VNA) – The APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, one of the most importantpolitic-diplomatic events of Vietnam in recent years, affirms the country’sactive international integration policy and promotes its prestige and positionin the international arena, said a Russian expert.

Associate Professor Oksana Novakova, from the Institute of Asian and AfricanStudies under Lomonosov Moscow State University (MGU), made the comment at aroundtable held by the Russian Centre for ASEAN and Vietnamese Studies inMoscow on November 1.

The APEC Year 2017 has also been considered as a catalyst for Vietnam topromote images of an active, hospitable and safe nation, she added.

The “Doi moi” (reform) process, which officially begun in 1986, has turnedVietnam into a developing country with freer economic policies, Novakova said,adding that along with promoting economic cooperation, Vietnam has paid dueattention to bolstering coordination with foreign countries to maintainregional security.

The Russian expert also stressed that peace and development are majororientations in the country’s foreign policy.

Meanwhile, Anna Aksenova, a lecturer of MGU, noticed that Vietnam is provingits proactive development with high average gross domestic product growth andVietnam’s economic expansion has close connection with investment flows fromforeign businesses.

Notably, many key investors are APEC member economies which share a number ofcommon benefits, she added.

Regarding the Russia-Vietnam strategic partnership, Evgeny Kobelev, an expertfrom the Institute of Oriental Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, highlightedbreakthroughs in economic and trade ties when Vietnam and the Eurasian EconomicUnion (EAEU) inked an agreement on the establishment of a free trade area.

He expressed his hope that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s presence at theAPEC 2017 Economic Leaders Meeting will give a new boost to the bilateralrelationship.

Talking with Vietnam News Agencycorrespondents, Vladimir Mazyrin, Director of the Centre for ASEAN andVietnamese Studies, said that the roundtable aimed to introduce Vietnam andAPEC, including the agenda of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, Vietnam’s prioritiesin its capacity as the host country and cooperation fields between Vietnam andRussia for mutual benefits.

This was the second time in 11 years that Vietnam is trusted to host the event,showing that that Vietnam and its economic achievements are appraisedinternationally, he said, underlining that joining APEC, the country has a chanceto consolidate its influence and role in the Asia-Pacific.-VNA