During the seventh Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) held in Baku on October 14, Vietnamese Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan engaged in discussions with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva to bolster the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Azerbaijan. The leaders aimed to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors, aligning with the Vietnam-Azerbaijan Strategic Partnership that was established following Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Azerbaijan in 2025.
Key areas of focus during the talks included expanding economic, trade, and investment ties, specifically in oil and gas, energy, transport, agriculture, tourism, education, science, and technology. The discussions also covered potential joint energy projects and strategies to encourage business investments between the two nations. Crucially, both sides agreed on the importance of high-level exchanges and improved coordination among government agencies to effectively implement existing bilateral agreements.
In efforts to facilitate travel, tourism, and business exchanges, the leaders considered the possibility of visa exemptions for ordinary passport holders and the establishment of direct air routes. This move is seen as a way to not only strengthen economic connections but also to enhance people-to-people ties between Vietnam and Azerbaijan.
The talks further delved into cooperative efforts in culture, education, mining, and aluminium production. Both countries pledged to deepen their coordination at regional and international forums, committing to uphold multilateralism, the United Nations Charter, and international law. These discussions underscore the commitment of both nations to not only reinforce their bilateral relationship but also to play active roles in the global arena.