Vietnam, Azerbaijan eye establishment of defense attaché offices to boost military cooperation

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and Azerbaijan may open defense attaché offices in each country to strengthen bilateral military cooperation.

Vietnamese Minister of Defense, General Phan Van Giang, proposed the idea at the meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, on September 4.

On defense cooperation, Giang suggested strengthening delegation exchanges, expanding training and facilitating ties between the two countries’ defense enterprises in defense industry, military trade and logistics–technical fields.

Both sides agreed to support each other’s multilateral activities and explore new areas of potential cooperation.

Giang said Vietnam was ready to receive Azerbaijani cadets for Vietnamese language training at the Military Science Academy and to support their participation in international defense courses at the National Defense Academy.

At the talks, the two defense ministers signed a Letter of Intent on military personnel training cooperation.

Giang reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, along with the “Four No’s” defense policy.

He stressed that Vietnam resolves disputes peacefully in line with international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, supports the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the East Sea (referred to as South China Sea), and backs the early adoption of a substantive and effective the Code of Conduct (COC) in the sea.

Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, Azerbaijan’s Defence Minister, is visiting Vietnam to attend celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

Giang thanked him for joining the event, and pledged Vietnam’s commitment to strengthening traditional friendship with Azerbaijan, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, the late President Heydar Aliyev and generations of leaders and people.

He noted that the establishment of a Strategic Partnership during General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Azerbaijan in May 2025 has laid the groundwork for deeper defense collaboration.

Colonel General Hasanov welcomed the positive progress in bilateral ties, especially after To Lam’s visit, and emphasized the potential for further collaboration.

The Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense’s construction of a monument honoring Soviet military experts, including those from Azerbaijan, at the Vietnam Military History Museum reflects Vietnam’s gratitude for Azerbaijan’s support during past wars.

It helps strengthen the traditional friendship between the two countries and their armies.

Later in the day, Minister Zakir Hasanov met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who praised the results of talks between the Vietnamese and Azerbaijani defense ministers, calling for stronger bilateral defense cooperation under the signed Memorandum of Understanding and related agreements.

Chinh highlighted the need to expand high-level delegation exchanges, education and training, logistics and technical support, research, technology transfer, and defense industry development, while also promoting cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

The prime minister affirmed Vietnam will create the best conditions for the two defense ministries to strengthen cooperation in line with each country’s needs and capabilities.

Azerbaijan’s Defense Minister Zakir Hasanov thanked Vietnam for inviting his delegation to the 80th National Day celebrations, congratulated the country on the successful parade and expressed admiration for the Vietnamese people and heroic army.

Stressing the vast potential for cooperation, he pledged to actively advance defense ties as discussed with PM Chinh, contributing to the growing strategic partnership.

Since 1992, Vietnam and Azerbaijan have fostered a strong traditional friendship and broadened multifaceted cooperation, grounded in trust, equality and mutual respect for the benefits of both sides.