Hanoi (VNA) – Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hosted a reception in Hanoi on August 23 for Elchin Amirbayov, Special Envoy of the President of Azerbaijan, reaffirming Vietnam's commitment to bolstering its friendship and cooperation with traditional friends, including Azerbaijan.

Xuan expressed her delight at the positive trajectory of bilateral ties, noting the frequent exchange of delegations at various levels, the effective functioning of bilateral mechanisms, mutual support at multilateral forums, and robust strides in economic-trade collaboration.

One of the standout areas of cooperation is education, with Azerbaijan playing a pivotal role in training Vietnamese personnel in oil and gas, communications and the navy, she said.

Xuan underscored the importance of continuing collaboration in various areas, particularly cultural and people-to-people exchanges and mutual support at regional and United Nations multilateral forums.

Vietnam is ready to support Azerbaijan's run for membership in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), she said, adding that the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Inter-Governmental Committee for Economic-Commercial and Scientific-Technical Cooperation should soon review existing mechanisms and consider establishing new ones to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

On global and regional issues, she reaffirmed Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, as well as supporting an environment of peace, national sovereignty, and the right of self-determination for all nations.

Amirbayov, for his part, expressed a desire to foster traditional friendship between the two countries, especially in economy, trade, investment and culture where there remain potential for growth.

He underlined the significant role of education, with thousands of Vietnamese students having studied in Azerbaijan, becoming key members of friendship associations and vital bridges between the two nations.

The guest also suggested facilitating all-level visits and cooperation in oil and gas sector.

Describing Asia as a top priority in Azerbaijan's foreign policy, he said Azerbaijan attaches importance to its relations with ASEAN countries, including Vietnam. He expressed hope that Vietnam would support Azerbaijan’s bid to become a TAC member.

𝓰 Both sides also agreed on orientations to further developing bilateral ties across politics-diplomacy, economy, trade, education, and the exchange of experience and methods for clearing bombs, mines and unexploded ordnance./.