Azeri, Vietnamese leaders praise ties, pledge to expand coop

President Sang, on his first visit trip to the Caspian Sea 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.

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.