Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva in Baku on October 14. She was attending the 7th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
Aliyev thanked Vietnam for sending a high-ranking delegation led by Xuan to the summit, calling it a sign of Vietnam's respect and support for Azerbaijan's role as CICA Chair.
He spoke about the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Azerbaijan and similarities between the two countries. Aliyev also recalled the warm feelings that generations of Azerbaijani leaders had held for Vietnam and his positive memories of a 2014 visit, when he met Vietnamese friends and former students he had known.
Aliyev said Azerbaijan attaches importance to its relations with Vietnam and welcomed progress in bilateral cooperation. The two countries are carrying out specific energy projects involving leading companies, while more Vietnamese investors are exploring opportunities in Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani businesses are seeking investment, trade and cooperation opportunities in Vietnam.
He agreed with Xuan's proposals to implement effectively the cooperation agreements signed during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam's state visit to Azerbaijan in 2025. The work is intended to deepen the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership in practical and effective ways for the benefit of both countries' people.
Xuan conveyed greetings and best wishes from Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders to President Aliyev and other Azerbaijani leaders. She congratulated Azerbaijan on its socio-economic achievements and growing regional and international role.
She said Vietnam always remembers Azerbaijan's valuable support during its past struggle for national reunification and its current nation-building process. Azerbaijan helped train many highly qualified personnel for Vietnam's oil and gas industry, while generations of Vietnamese experts and officials who studied and worked in Azerbaijan made positive contributions to bilateral relations.
Xuan also recognised the active role of organisations, funds and people-to-people exchanges in strengthening ties between the two countries.
She noted that Party General Secretary To Lam's successful 2025 visit to Azerbaijan had raised bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership.
The two sides called for stronger economic, trade and investment cooperation and wider collaboration in areas where Azerbaijan has strengths and Vietnam has needs. These include oil and gas, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, education and training, science and technology, and innovation.
The two countries agreed to maintain high-level visits and contacts, expand exchanges among ministries, sectors and localities, and use bilateral cooperation mechanisms more effectively to implement existing agreements and deepen the Strategic Partnership.
They also pledged to facilitate business cooperation and trade while continuing to explore oil and gas exploration and extraction opportunities in both countries. They agreed to consider visa exemption for ordinary passport holders and encourage the establishment of direct air routes between Vietnam and Azerbaijan.
Both sides highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in culture, education and tourism for strengthening the social foundations of bilateral ties. They also agreed to expand cooperation in sectors where both countries have strengths, including mining and aluminium smelting.
The countries further agreed to increase consultations, support each other at regional and international forums, promote multilateralism and respect for the UN Charter and international law, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Sources: Viet Nam News
