Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn (r) meets with Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Ramiz Hasanov in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI — The diplomatic sectors of Việt Nam and Azerbaijan discussed ways to increase their coordination at a conference in Hà Nội yesterday.

The event was held on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Azerbaijani diplomatic sector (1919-2019) and the 60th year since Việt Nam’s President Hồ Chí Minh visited Azerbaijan for the first time (1959-2019).

In opening the conference, Deputy Foreign Minister of Azerbaijan Ramiz Hasanov said the foreign ministries of both countries have made unceasing efforts to promote bilateral cooperation. He stressed that Vietnam is an important partner in Southeast Asia of Azerbaijan.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn recalled the close traditional friendship between the two countries, noting that thousands of Vietnamese students had received university training in Azerbaijan, and hundreds of military and civilian Azerbaijani experts had volunteered to go to Việt Nam to help the Vietnamese people in their national defence and construction.

According to the Deputy FM, the two countries’ foreign ministries have maintained close coordination since the establishment of diplomatic relationship, contributing to strengthening the trustful and close political ties. The two foreign ministries have also worked with other ministries and agencies to implement agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders, gradually perfect the legal foundation for bilateral cooperation.

Besides, the two foreign ministries have kept regular consultations on international and regional issues of mutual concern while coordinating closely at regional and international forums for the interests of both nations and for peace, stability and development in the world, Deputy FM Sơn said.

Participants at the conference agreed that the diplomatic sector should play a key role in bolstering cooperation between the two countries, thus serving each nation’s cause of national development and common interests.

They exchanged opinions on the achievements, advantages and difficulties faced by Việt Nam and Azerbaijan in their socio-economic development, and the progress of bilateral ties since the two countries gained independence. —VNS