Baku, May 8, 2025 – The Europe Today: President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam delivered joint press statements in Baku, underscoring a new era in bilateral relations with the signing of a Joint Declaration on a Strategic Partnership.
In a warm and formal welcome, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized the historic significance of General Secretary To Lam’s visit — the first of its kind by a Vietnamese Communist Party leader to Azerbaijan — highlighting its potential to usher in a new chapter of dynamic cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
“Your visit is of great importance for the development of Vietnamese-Azerbaijani relations,” President Aliyev stated. “The Joint Declaration we signed today is a very serious political document that will elevate our bilateral ties to a higher level.”
President Aliyev noted that the newly signed agreements span multiple areas, including trade, energy, culture, education, transport, and defense, and stressed the potential for mutual investment and cooperation in renewable energy. He invited Vietnamese companies to invest in Azerbaijan’s green energy sector and expressed readiness for Azerbaijani investments in Vietnam.
The Azerbaijani leader also acknowledged the importance of reviving the Intergovernmental Commission, which has not met for several years, as a vital mechanism for accelerating bilateral cooperation.
Additionally, President Aliyev praised the two nations’ strong collaboration in international organizations, including the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, and reaffirmed their shared commitment to international law, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
In his statement, General Secretary To Lam expressed appreciation for the hospitality extended by the Azerbaijani side and reaffirmed Vietnam’s determination to enhance cooperation with Azerbaijan.
“This visit demonstrates Vietnam’s determination to further develop cooperation with Azerbaijan in all areas,” said General Secretary To Lam. “We are pleased that our relations trace back to President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Azerbaijan in 1959.”
He proposed five strategic goals to implement the new partnership:
- Strengthening multi-level contacts, including party-to-party relations and the activation of existing mechanisms;
- Expanding trade and investment, particularly in energy, transport, and agriculture;
- Enhancing defense and security cooperation, including information security and cybercrime;
- Fostering cultural and educational exchange, sports collaboration, and people-to-people ties;
- Deepening coordination in multilateral platforms, such as the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement.
To Lam also reiterated Vietnam’s support for peaceful dispute resolution in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and formally invited President Aliyev to visit Vietnam, a proposal the Azerbaijani leader has accepted.
Both sides expressed confidence that the strategic partnership will benefit the people of both nations and contribute to regional and global peace and stability.
