HÀ NỘI — The Government and people of Việt Nam attach importance to strengthening traditional relations with Azerbaijan, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc told visiting Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov yesterday in Hà Nội.

PM Phúc lauded the positive outcomes of the talks between Minister Mammadyarov and Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh.

The Azerbaijani Minister’s visit will open up a new chapter for ties in different fields between Việt Nam and Azerbaijan, he said.

Having expressed satisfaction with the political ties, PM Phúc said economic and trade relations remain modest, failing to meet the expectations of both sides.

Both countries need to review their regulations and policies to remove difficulties and facilitate trade and investment ties, the PM said, underlining the important role of enterprises in the work.

The PM suggested the two sides continue exchanging delegations while maintaining and promoting the Inter-Governmental Committee for Economic-Commercial and Scientific-Technological Co-operation, saying this mechanism is expected to identify and promote co-operation in the fields of their strengths, including energy, tourism, education and culture.

Việt Nam is willing to export its key products to Azerbaijan, such as agricultural and aquatic products, computers and components, and import machines, equipment and spare parts, crude oil, and crude oil-based products, he said. 

For his part, Mammadyarov said his talks with Deputy PM, Foreign Phạm Bình Minh and his working session with Minister of Industry and Trade Trần Tuấn Anh showed that the two nations are on the right track to enhance ties.

Highlighting the successful co-operation in oil and gas, he said Azerbaijan will make greater efforts to boost relations with Việt Nam in traditional fields and new spheres.

PM Phúc acknowledged the guest’s idea of a new sea shipping route, pledging that he will assign agencies to study the proposal soon.

New measures discussed

Earlier the day Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh and his counterpart Mammadyarov discussed measures to boost co-operation between the two nations, particularly in oil and gas, education, culture and tourism.

They expressed their delight at the steady growth of two-way trade in recent years, which hit US$104 million in 2016 and surged to $114 million in the first half of this year. 

The ministers also welcomed the successful organisation of the first meeting of the Việt Nam – Azerbaijan Intergovernmental Committee for Economic-Commercial and Scientific-Technological Cooperation in January 2017.

They said that the foreign ministries of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan should continue co-ordinating by holding regular dialogues and consultations on issues of mutual concern.

On regional and global issues, the ministers agreed that territorial disputes must be settled through peaceful measures in line with international law, contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development. — VNS