Leader Witnesses Signing of Vietnam-Azerbaijan Accords; Addresses Press Post-Baku Discussions

A buzz unfolded in the heart of Baku as General Secretary Tô Lâm from the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan watched the sealing of significant cooperation documents between their nations. The event was marvelously captured in a VNA/VNS photo (Thòng Nhất).

On this momentous day, Wednesday (local time), their extensive talks culminated in a flurry of agreements covering a diverse spectrum of sectors. The Ministry of Industry and Trade of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Energy inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost collaboration in the energy sector. The two Ministries of Defense shared a letter of intent, pledging to strengthen bilateral defense ties. The Ministries of Justice announced a cooperation program for the upcoming 2025-27 period.

Notably, Petrovietnam and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy exchanged an MoU focusing on oil and gas exploration and exploitation, technical services, and training. Furthermore, Bình Sơn Refining and Petrochemical JSC of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy agreed on a long-term supply of crude oil to Dung Quất Refinery.

In presence of these major collaborations, the Ministry of Science and Technology from Việt Nam and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport exchanged an MoU to accentuate partnerships in their respective fields. Việt Nam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also inked an MoU with Azerbaijan's Ministry of Culture.

Following the ceremony, President Aliyev highlighted the crucial issues discussed during their talks, emphasizing that these signed documents represented a remarkable stride forward in bilateral relations. He underscored General Secretary Lâm's visit and his attendance at the signing ceremony, signifying the importance both nations attach to enhancing cooperation, particularly in sectors like education and logistics.

The leaders explored avenues to expand cooperation beyond trade, with a mutual desire to bolster investment. Both sides agreed to expedite the establishment of the Việt Nam-Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Committee to accelerate the implementation of joint initiatives. Aliyev also expressed hopes for a more even trade structure between the nations, stressing the importance of clearer communication regarding specific projects to encourage stronger business engagement.

In his address, General Secretary Lâm expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from President Aliyev, Azerbaijani leaders, and the people of Azerbaijan. He noted the considerable progress in the relationship, anchored by President Hồ Chí Minh's historic 1959 visit to Azerbaijan, and reinforced by continued exchanges between senior leaders and the efforts of both peoples.

Recognizing the immense potential of their relationship, the leaders agreed to adopt a Joint Statement establishing a strategic partnership. This new framework marks a significant turning point and forms a robust foundation for strengthening and deepening Việt Nam-Azerbaijan relations, paving the way for rapid and sustainable development in the updated context.

To implement the Joint Statement and usher in a new era of bilateral cooperation, the two leaders outlined five key solutions. Both sides agreed to intensify delegation exchanges and visits, focusing on accelerating ties between the Communist Party of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan's ruling New Azerbaijan Party, as well as with other influential political parties in Azerbaijan.

Collaboration in the energy sector is expected to remain a priority, with the aim to boost the role and effectiveness of the Intergovernmental Committee on economic, trade, scientific, and technical cooperation. Other areas of focus include enhancing trade and investment promotion, strengthening business community connections, and boosting collaboration in sectors like oil and gas and emerging areas like railway and maritime transport, agriculture, and processing-manufacturing industries.

Defense collaboration will continue to be of utmost importance, with increased delegation exchanges and sharing of experience in areas of mutual concern such as information sharing and joint efforts to combat transnational crime, cybercrime, and drug trafficking.

Cultural, sports, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges also form an integral part of their strategic partnership, with plans to organize cultural events, enhance sports cooperation, and promote tourism to attract more visitors. Việt Nam is interested in sending more students to study key subjects in Azerbaijan, while Azerbaijan considers establishing friendship associations to foster grassroots ties and mutual understanding between their peoples.

Finally, both sides pledged to deepen coordination on regional and global issues of shared concern. They continue to support each other at multilateral forums like the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). They have expressed their support for maintaining peace, stability, security, freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded trade in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea). The disputes are to be resolved through peaceful means, without using or threatening to use force, and in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

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

Both leaders remain confident that with the political will of their leaders and the people, the Việt Nam-Azerbaijan strategic partnership will continue to thrive, fostering peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and beyond.

The government of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan agreed to establish a Joint Statement, marking the adoption of a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening and deepening relations.
The Ministry of Science and Technology of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Digital Development and Transport signed a memorandum to enhance partnerships in their respective fields.
The Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism of both nations also agreed to work together through a memorandum of understanding.
The Ministries of Industry and Trade and Energy exchanged a memorandum of understanding to boost collaboration in the energy sector.
The Ministries of Defense discussed strengthening bilateral defense ties through a letter of intent.
The Ministry of Justice announced a cooperation program for the upcoming 2025-27 period.
The Ministry of Economy and Petrovietnam exchanged an MoU focusing on oil and gas exploration, exploitation, technical services, and training.
A long-term supply of crude oil to Dung Quất Refinery was agreed upon between Bình Sơn Refining and Petrochemical JSC of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan's Ministry of Economy.
Defense collaboration will continue to be of utmost importance, with increased delegation exchanges and sharing of experience in areas like combating transnational crime, cybercrime, and drug trafficking.
Cultural, sports, tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges will be integral parts of the strategic partnership, with plans to organize cultural events, enhance sports cooperation, and promote tourism.
Both sides expressed their support for maintaining peace, stability, security, freedom of navigation and overflight, and unimpeded trade in the East Sea (South China Sea), resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The leaders agreed to intensify delegation exchanges, especially between the Communist Party of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan's ruling New Azerbaijan Party, boosting collaboration in sectors like oil and gas, railway, maritime transport, agriculture, processing-manufacturing industries, and emerging areas.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of clearer communication and stronger engagement in specific projects to bolster investment and expand cooperation beyond trade.
President Aliyev highlighted the significance of General Secretary Lâm's visit, emphasizing the importance both nations attach to enhancing cooperation, particularly in sectors like education and logistics, as a remarkable stride forward in bilateral relations.

Leader Witnesses Signing of Vietnam-Azerbaijan Accords; Addresses Press Post-Baku Discussions