3rd session of Azerbaijan-Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission held in Hanoi

The 3rd session of the Azerbaijan-Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission on Economic-Trade and Scientific-Technology Cooperation took place on Thursday in Hanoi, Report informs, citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Energy.

According to the ministry, Azerbaijan's Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov and Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a meeting before the session. During the meeting, discussions were held on current matters on the cooperation agenda of the two countries.

Afterwards, at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission attended by delegations from both countries, the co-chairs - Parviz Shahbazov and Nguyen Hong Dien - delivered speeches.

It was emphasized that the relations between Azerbaijan and Vietnam, which were founded with the visits of President Ho Chi Minh to Baku in 1959 and National Leader Heydar Aliyev to Hanoi in 1983, have risen to a new level with the state visit of the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, To Lam, to Azerbaijan this May. Shahbazov stated that the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership adopted during this visit and the signed documents serve as a roadmap for the development of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. It is no coincidence that President Ilham Aliyev assessed this visit as an event of great political significance and the Joint Declaration as a very serious political document. "The Intergovernmental Commission has been tasked with turning the provisions of this Declaration into practical projects, activating and expanding trade and economic cooperation, boosting trade turnover and mutual investments. For this purpose, a document on 'Areas of Cooperation' has been drafted, covering the years 2025-2027, envisaging the implementation of 58 measures across 17 priority areas. Azerbaijan and Vietnam, as strategic partners, are determined to achieve significant results in all these areas in the coming years," Shahbazov added.

Dien said: "Our political and diplomatic relations are stable, and our cooperation in the energy sector is of a strategic nature. There is strong political will and resolute support at the leadership level to deepen this cooperation. Vietnam, with the third largest economy in Southeast Asia, offers great opportunities for cooperation with its population of 115 million and access to a market of 600 million people within the framework of free trade agreements."

The meeting reviewed the current state of relations in political, trade, investment, energy, transportation, small and medium entrepreneurship, tourism, agriculture, defense industry, culture, education, and other areas. It was noted that trade turnover increased by 5.4% in the first five months of this year, reaching $58.4 million. This indicates a positive dynamic in cooperation. It was mentioned that joint efforts will contribute to further increasing this figure and mutual investments. Touching on cooperation in the energy sector, it was stated that SOCAR Trading's activity as one of the leading spot suppliers in the Vietnamese market, crude oil supply, and participation in international sales of Vietnamese oil are among the main directions in this field. It was noted that memoranda of understanding signed between the Ministry of Energy, SOCAR, and relevant Vietnamese partners, as well as the partnership document on renewable energy with ROX Group, will further strengthen energy cooperation.

The importance of cooperation in transportation and logistics to support industrial growth and export potential was emphasized. It was stated that cooperation within the Middle Corridor, North-South, and East-West transport corridors will ensure efficient use of transit opportunities for both countries. Last year, Silk Way Airlines opened a representative office in Vietnam, and direct cargo flights are expected to begin soon. The Baku-Hanoi passenger route has been included in Azerbaijan Airlines' development plans.

It was noted that there is significant potential for cooperation in the defense industry and agriculture. Increasing dynamics are observed in cultural and humanitarian cooperation. Cultural and charity events held during the visit of Leyla Aliyeva, Vice President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, to Vietnam in April this year are a clear example of mutual interest in this direction. Vietnam Days to be organized in Azerbaijan next week will serve to expand cultural ties.

The protocol on the results of the 3rd meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission was signed, and an Action Plan covering 2025-2027 was adopted.