Viet Nam, Azerbaijan to spur new fields of cooperation

Ambassador Mehdizade made the announcement ahead of the state visit scheduled from May 7-8 at the invitation of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Speaking to the press, Ambassador Mehdizade stressed that the visit will mark a new chapter in strengthening the relations between the two countries as this will be the first by a General Secretary of Viet Nam to Azerbaijan since the establishment of diplomatic relations on September 23, 1992 and that it features a robust agenda aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation.

So far, education and energy, particularly the oil and gas sector, have long been the cornerstones of the traditional partnership between the two nations, alongside cultural exchange. The diplomat said that going forward, businesses from both sides will undertake joint projects in renewable and green energy, a sector to which Azerbaijan attaches great importance.

Mehdizade was convinced that the high-level meetings in Baku will strengthen cooperation in tourism, education, IT, transportation, manufacturing, joint ventures, agriculture, and environment, among other spheres.

On transport connectivity, the ambassador welcomed the opening of a Ha Noi office by Azerbaijan's Silkway Airlines and announced that the company will soon operate direct cargo flights between Ha Noi and Baku. The diplomat expressed hope that passenger flights will follow, noting the rising travel demand between the two nations and neighboring countries.

Economic relations between Viet Nam and Azerbaijan have grown notably in recent years. Bilateral trade reached US$702.5 million in 2022, nearly US$250 million in 2023, and US$52 million in 2024. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, trade surpassed US$100 million USD, signaling a strong rebound./.