Vietnam, Azerbaijan vow to boost defense cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang hosted Azerbaijani Defense Minister Colonel General Hasanov Zakir Asgar Oglu in Hanoi.

The visit coincided with Vietnam’s celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2.

During their talks, Giang expressed appreciation for Hasanov's participation in the national events and reaffirmed Vietnam’s respect for its long-standing friendship with Azerbaijan.

He recalled the state visit by Party General Secretary To Lam to Azerbaijan in May 2025, which elevated bilateral ties to a strategic partnership and opened new avenues for defense cooperation.

Giang proposed expanding joint efforts in military training, defense manufacturing, and logistics, while also suggesting new areas of collaboration.

He recommended establishing defense attaché offices in both countries and invited Azerbaijani cadets to study Vietnamese at the Military Science Academy and join international officer courses in Vietnam.

He also referenced a recently inaugurated monument at the Vietnam Military History Museum honoring former Soviet Union military experts, including those from Azerbaijan, as a symbol of gratitude for Azerbaijan’s past support for Vietnam’s resistance wars.

Giang reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, peace, and cooperation, along with its national defense principles that include not joining military alliances, not siding with one country against another, not allowing foreign military bases on its soil, and not using or threatening force in international relations.

He emphasized Vietnam’s commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Hasanov welcomed the growing relationship between the two nations, especially since General Secretary Lam’s visit, spotlighting the significant potential for expanded cooperation.

He voiced hope that both sides would continue to push defense collaboration forward in meaningful and effective ways.

The ministers noted that bilateral defense ties have grown alongside state-level relations, particularly through exchanges, cooperation in defense production, demining efforts, and participation in multilateral forums.

They cited the memorandum of understanding signed during Lam’s visit as an important foundation for continued progress.

At the end of the meeting, Giang and Hasanov signed a letter of intent on military training cooperation, marking a new chapter in Vietnam and Azerbaijan’s defense partnership.