President Truong Tan Sang will pay an official visit to Azerbaijan from May 13-15 to consolidate the traditional friendship and look for measures to promote cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam recognised Azerbaijan’s independence on December 27, 1991 and the two nations set up diplomatic ties in 1992.

Azerbaijan opened an embassy in Hanoi in 2013 and the two countries have maintained regular delegation exchanges and coordinated at international forums, including the United Nations.

Last year, trade reached 422 million USD, up 97 million USD from 2013. Vietnam mainly exported mobile phones, computers, electronics and their components, aquatic products, confectionary and cereals to Azerbaijan while importing crude oil and petrol.

Oil and gas is the key pillar in their bilateral cooperation, with Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group opening a representative office in Azerbaijan in 2011.

Azerbaijan has helped Vietnam train high-quality officials and students, especially in oil and gas. The two nations also inked a number of agreements, including those on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and service/public passport, cooperation in trade and science-technology and avoidance of double taxation, among others.

VNA