Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and her Azerbaijani counterpart E. Mammadov on April 21 co-chaired a political consultation.

During the event, the two sides reviewed and agreed on the content, plans, and programmes for high-level delegation exchanges. They assessed the implementation of agreements made by the leaders of both countries in recent times, discussed the current state of bilateral relations, measures to enhance cooperation, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest.

The two officials shared the view that the traditional friendship between the two countries had developed before they established diplomatic relations in 1992, notably the visit to Azerbaijan by President Ho Chi Minh in 1959, which laid the foundation for bilateral relations. In the early 1980s, Party General Secretary Le Duan visited Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijani leader Heydar Aliyev also visited Vietnam in 1983 as a First Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The two sides have maintained exchanges at all levels - Party, State, National Assembly, and between ministries, sectors, and localities - contributing to strengthening political trust between the two countries.

The two sides agreed on the need to continue regular exchanges of delegations, especially at the high level and through various channels and fields, to create a foundation and momentum for strong and sustainable cooperation in other areas.

They reviewed the building and implementation of diplomatic activities between high-ranking leaders, affirming that the two Foreign Ministries will make all-out efforts and closely coordinate to prepare thoroughly and successfully organise visits and activities of high-level leaders. They will also promote the effective implementation of commitments and agreements reached between the two countries' leaders, aiming for a rapid, strong, and substantive development of bilateral relations, for the benefit of the peoples of both countries, and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and in the world.

The two sides reported on each other's socio-economic situation and diplomatic activities. Noting the positive growth in trade exchanges between the two countries, the officials held that the current trade volume has yet to match the potential and strengths of both countries, as well as their aspirations. There is still significant room for enhancing economic cooperation, particularly in mutually beneficial areas such as energy, mining, and agriculture.

Hang suggested Azerbaijan facilitate connections between the businesses of the two countries, encouraging interaction and information exchange, and expanding investment and business opportunities for each side. She emphasised the importance of opening markets for goods to penetrate each other’s markets and the regional market.

E. Mammadov shared Azerbaijan's strengths in the fields of energy and transportation, expressing readiness to cooperate with Vietnam and a desire for both sides to consider expanding cooperation into areas where they have strengths and potential.

The officials noted that Vietnam and Azerbaijan have significant cooperation potential in defence and security, science and technology, innovation, culture, sports, and tourism. Regarding education and training cooperation, they acknowledged the extensive experience of collaboration, with over 5,000 Vietnamese students having been trained in Azerbaijan. Therefore, they agreed to enhance cooperation in this area, particularly in student and lecturer exchanges, and personnel training in the fields of mutual need and strength.

With regard to cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries, they agreed to maintain a regular political consultation mechanism and interactions between the ministries' leaders to promote coordination and advance relations between Vietnam and Azerbaijan in general, as well as between their ministries, sectors, and localities in particular. They consented to continue close coordination at multilateral forums, especially within UN organisations.

For international and regional issues of mutual concern, they emphasised the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and security, including maritime security, supporting the resolution of disputes through peaceful means, and adhering to international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). They affirmed the significance of complying with the UN Charter, which includes respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, refraining from the use or threat of force, and peacefully resolving disputes based on international law.

During her stay in Azerbaijan from April 20-22, Deputy Minister Hang met with Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister J. Bayramov who praised Vietnam's role and position in the region. He also expressed admiration for Vietnam's development achievements, and affirmed Azerbaijan's readiness to enhance bilateral cooperation towards upgrading relations in the near future.

He appreciated the results of the political consultations, which, he said, demonstrate that Vietnam values the relationship between the two countries, especially between their Foreign Ministries. He said Azerbaijan welcomes upcoming high-level leadership exchanges and pledged that the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry will do its utmost to promote bilateral relations and prepare thoroughly for high-level visits.

For her part, Deputy Minister Hang affirmed her commitment to actively exchange information and closely coordinate with relevant agencies in Vietnam to promote the implementation of commitments and agreements reached by the two countries' high-ranking leaders.

Hang praised Azerbaijan's positive role and contributions in international mechanisms such as the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement, and called on Azerbaijan to support Vietnam and ASEAN's views on the East Sea issue, advocating for the peaceful resolution of disputes without the use or threat of force, with the participation of all relevant parties.

ꦛ On this occasion, Hang conveyed greetings from Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to Foreign Minister J. Bayramov./.