Leader attends ceremony for Vietnamese-Azerbaijani agreements, speaks with press following discussions in Baku.

In the heart of Azerbaijan, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, and President Ilham Aliyev put pen to paper on a series of agreements that could supercharge the relationship between the two countries. The scene was set in Baku on a chilly Wednesday, as they witnessed the signing of multiple documents that promised a deepening partnership across a myriad of sectors.

From energy and defense to education and culture, the agreements sent a clear message that Vietnam and Azerbaijan aim to push the boundaries of their relationship. In the energy sector, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged by the Ministries of Industry and Trade and Energy, focusing on collaboration in oil and gas exploration and exploitation, technical services, and training.

Moreover, the Ministries of Defense strengthened their bond with a letter of intent outlining commitments to boost bilateral defense cooperation. On the legal front, the Ministries of Justice agreed on a cooperation program for the 2025-27 period. The MoUs didn't stop there, with twin agreements reached between the Ministries of Science and Technology and Digital Development and Transport to enhance collaboration in their respective sectors. The Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism also shook hands on an MoU with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture.

On the economic front, Vietnamese oil and gas firm Petrovietnam and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy exchanged an MoU on long-term crude oil supply to Dung Quat Refinery. Bình Sơn Refining and Petrochemical JSC of Vietnam and the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan also signed an MoU on oil exploration and exploitation, solidifying ties between the two nations.

Post-signing ceremony, President Aliyev expressed his excitement, highlighting the significant steps forward in bilateral ties. He expressed hopes for expanding collaboration beyond trade, with a mutual interest in promoting investment. The two sides also reached consensus on the early convening of the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Committee to accelerate the implementation of joint initiatives.

In a spirit of transparency, the leaders emphasized the need for open communication, emphasizing the importance of more balanced trade structures, and the need for information exchange regarding specific projects to foster stronger business engagement. They also looked forward to deeper collaboration at multilateral forums, including the United Nations.

General Secretary Lâm expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and productive talks, outlining five key strategies to build on these successes. High on the agenda were increasing delegation exchanges and visits, enhancing relations with influential political parties, working to ensure the effective implementation of cooperation agreements, focusing on economic and trade cooperation, and promoting defense cooperation.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Tô Lâm and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev witness the signing of important cooperation documents between the two countries. - VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

The new strategic partnership is expected to elevate the relationship between Vietnam and Azerbaijan, providing a solid foundation for ongoing advances in bilateral relations. The partnership is set to foster comprehensive cooperation and contribute to regional and international stability and prosperity. The historic visit marks a milestone in the longstanding relationship between the two nations and highlights their shared potential for the future.

The signing ceremony, witnessed by General Secretary Tô Lâm and President Aliyev, spanned a variety of sectors, including energy, defense, education, culture, and more.
In the realm of energy, the Ministries of Industry and Trade, as well as Energy of both countries, agreed to collaborate on oil and gas exploration and exploitation.
The Ministries of Defense from both nations pledged to boost their cooperation through a letter of intent focused on bilateral defense matters.
On the legal front, the Ministries of Justice committed to a cooperation program for the 2025-27 period.
Science and Technology, Digital Development, and Transport sectors also agreed to collaborate more closely through separate MoUs.
In the field of culture, the Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism of both countries signed an MoU with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture.
On the economic front, Petrovietnam and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy agreed on a long-term crude oil supply to Dung Quat Refinery.
Bình Sơn Refining and Petrochemical JSC and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy also signed an MoU on oil exploration and exploitation.
Post-signing, President Aliyev expressed hopes for expanded collaboration, reaching beyond trade and focusing on investment opportunities.
General Secretary Lâm highlighted the need for increased delegation exchanges, deeper relations with political parties, and stronger defense cooperation, among other key strategies, to build upon the established partnership.

Leader attends ceremony for Vietnamese-Azerbaijani agreements, speaks with press following discussions in Baku.