Hanoi (VNA) - Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang hosted a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on September 4 for Minister of Defence of the Republic of Azerbaijan Colonel General Hasanov Zakir Asgar Oglu, who is in Vietnam for an official visit and attendance at the 80th anniversary of the country’s August Revolution and National Day.
Following the ceremony, the two ministers held talks, during which Giang expressed appreciation to Hasanov Zakir and his delegation for joining Vietnam’s historic national celebrations, stressing that Vietnam treasures its traditional friendship with Azerbaijan, which has been nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries.
He recalled the state visit to Azerbaijan in May 2025 by Party General Secretary To Lam, which marked a milestone in the bilateral relations, with the establishment of a strategic partnership, creating a new foundation for expanding defence cooperation.
Giang affirmed that Vietnam’s construction of a monument honouring Soviet military experts, including those from Azerbaijan, at the Vietnam Military History Museum reflects the profound appreciation of the Vietnamese Party, State, military, and people for Azerbaijan's invaluable assistance during their resistance wars.
Vietnam has consistently pursued a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, development, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, as well as its “Four Nos” defence policy, Giang underscored. He also emphasised the country’s stance of resolving disputes by peaceful measures in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and its support for the early finalisation of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
At the event, the two ministers agreed that defence cooperation has been promoted over the recent past, in line with state-level relations, notably in delegation exchange, defence industry, mine clearance, and engagement in multilateral forums. A Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation was signed as part of the Vietnamese Party chief’s May visit, contributing to bolstering bilateral collaboration more substantively and effectively.
Looking ahead, Giang suggested both sides work together to expand cooperation in areas such as training, defence industry, military trade, and logistics–technical support, as well as exploration of new cooperation domains where both countries have demand and potential. He also proposed establishing defence attaché offices in each other's country, welcomed Azerbaijani cadets to study Vietnamese at the Military Science Academy, and attend the international defence officers’ course at the National Defence Academy.
Hasanov Zakir, for his part, expressed gratitude for Vietnam’s invitation and delight at the robust relations between the two countries, especially followingGeneral Secretary Lam’s trip. He affirmed Azerbaijan’s willingness to advance substantive defence cooperation with Vietnam, contributing to the bilateral relationship between the two countries.
Concluding the talks, the two ministers signed a Letter of Intent on military personnel training cooperation./.
