Azerbaijan, Vietnam mull cooperation prospects
By Sara Rajabova
Azerbaijan and Vietnam have discussed the prospects for further cooperation between the two countries.
Azerbaijani Prime Minister Artur Rasizade met member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam, permanent member of the Secretariat of the Central Committee Communist Party Le Hong Anh on October 14, AzerTag news agency reported.
Rasizade said Azerbaijan and Vietnam had traditionally friendly relations. He said the visit of the top Vietnamese official would contribute to expansion of bilateral ties.
He hailed cooperation between the two countries` ruling parties. Hong Anh, for his part, praised the results of his fist visit to Azerbaijan. He said regular contacts would give impetus to overall development of relations between Vietnam and Azerbaijan.
On the same day, the Vietnamese delegation paid a visit to the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku.
The delegation was informed that the center is a cultural complex designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid.
The center houses a conference hall with three auditoriums, a library and a museum. The project is intended to play an integral role in the intellectual life of the city. Located close to the city centre, the site plays a pivotal role in the redevelopment of Baku. The center is engaged in studying and promoting the statehood policy and heritage of national leader Heydar Aliyev.
They were told that the center implements projects aimed to popularize history and culture of Azerbaijan all over the world.
An internationally recognized architectural work, the building of the Heydar Aliyev Center has become a signature landmark of modern Baku due to its innovative and cutting-edge design. The building was nominated for awards in 2013 at both the World Architecture Festival and the biennial Inside Festival.
Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation met with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, Foreign Minister Elmar Mammadyarov and Deputy Chairman of the ruling party "New Azerbaijan" Ali Akhmedov.
Vietnam recognized Azerbaijan's independence in December 1991. The two countries established diplomatic relations in September 1992. Azerbaijan officially opened its embassy in Hanoi in December 2013. Vietnam does not have an embassy in Azerbaijan, which has made it difficult for Azerbaijani citizens to obtain visas. According to the new rules, Azerbaijani citizens only need to provide the relevant documents given by the Vietnamese travel agencies regarding their trip in order to get a visa.
Vietnam - Azerbaijan relations have been fraternal and traditional. There is no outstanding issue between the two countries. During the Soviet times, Azerbaijan helped Vietnam educate and train many students and officials at graduate level, especially in oil and gas industry.