Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev expressed hope for strong ties in the next few years during talks held here.
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President Truong Tan Sang and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev review the guard of honour during his visit trip to the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic |
President Sang, on his first visit trip to the Caucasus country, expressed his delight at the Azerbaijani people's achievements in building and developing their country and Azerbaijan's increasing position in the region and world.
He said Viet Nam was eager to strengthen its relationship with Azerbaijan and considered the nation its main partner in the southern Caucasus.
Speaking highly of Viet Nam's important achievements in its reform process and appreciating Viet Nam's growing role and position in Southeast Asia, President Aliyev said Azerbaijan also attached importance to developing relationships with Viet Nam.
The two sides agreed that Viet Nam and Azerbaijan stood a good chance of deepening their political relationship and economy-trade co-operation.
They also focused on measures to boost all aspects of Viet Nam-Azerbaijan ties, especially in economics, trade and investment.
The two leaders agreed to exchange delegations, especially of business representatives, to boost trade promotion and increase the share of Vietnamese goods in Azerbaijan and vice versa, increasing the total trade volume from US$400 million in 2014 to $1 billion in coming years.
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The two leaders said they appreciated the close co-operation between the two countries in international forums, especially at the United Nations and in the Non-Aligned Movement |
A first meeting will be organised of the Viet Nam-Azerbaijan inter-governmental committee on economy, trade, science and technology co-operation to promote and accelerate the implementation of high-ranking agreements as well as plan future orientations.
Oil and gas sector co-operation is considered a long-term and strategic priority. President Aliyev pledged to create favourable conditions, including legal frameworks, to increase Viet Nam's investments in Azerbaijan, laying the foundations for joint oil and gas projects in a third country.
The two sides mentioned co-operation potentials in the light industry and real estate.
The two leaders asked relevant ministries and agencies to seek ways to boost co-operation in education, training and tourism, as well as open a direct air route between the two countries.
Labour, construction, health and transport were also touched upon.
President Sang told President Aliyev of the recent situation in the East Sea and repeated ASEAN's and Viet Nam's stance on resolving disputes through peaceful measures based on international laws, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
ASEAN and Viet Nam committed to fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and expeditiously draft a Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, contributing to ensuring peace, maritime security and safety in the region.
President Aliyev expressed his support for Viet Nam's approach in dealing with disputes in the East Sea.
The two leaders said they appreciated the close co-operation between the two countries in international forums, especially at the United Nations and in the Non-Aligned Movement.
President Sang urged Azerbaijan to support Viet Nam's bid for a seat in the United Nations Economic and Social Council for 2016-2018 and the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.
The two leaders witnessed the signing ceremony of an inter-governmental agreement on co-operation and administrative assistance in customs and another on aviation transportation.
They also oversaw the signing of memorandums of understanding between the Agricultural Ministries; the Transport Ministries; and the Viet Nam Oil and Gas Group PetroVietnam and the Azerbaijan Oil and Gas Corporation.
With Azerbaijani Speaker, PM
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President Truong Tan Sang (right) meets with Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade in Baku. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyen Khang
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Yesterday, President Sang also met the Speaker of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan, Ogtay Asadov, saying that Viet Nam valued the development of ties with traditional friends, including Azerbaijan.
The President said two-way trade remained modest so both sides should co-operate in areas where they were strong, such as oil and gas, farm produce trading, and the light industry.
He also asked for support for the two business communities to boost their trade.
Sang also thanked the Azerbaijani legislature for sending a delegation to Viet Nam for the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in March.
Both sides agreed to facilitate the sharing of law-making experience via visits, create a legal framework for bilateral collaboration and monitor the observance of signed agreements and commitments.
Meeting Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade the same day, the Vietnamese leader suggested holding the first meeting of the Viet Nam -Azerbaijan Inter-Government Committee on Economic-Trade and Science-Technology Co-operation soon as well as creating a vision for future engagements.
They committed to further propelling trade and strengthening links in energy, oil and gas which they said should be a key task.
The two countries should also restore co-operative ties across education-training, culture, tourism and explore opportunities in health care, transport, construction and labour, among others.
Both host and guest said Viet Nam and Azerbaijan would maximise their potential for win-win benefits that met the aspirations of their peoples.
In the afternoon, President Sang laid a wreath at a monument dedicated to the late Azerbaijani President, Heydar Aliyev, and a memorial for unknown soldiers./.