This is the first visit to Vietnam by the head of the Armenian legislative body after more than 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries, demonstrating that Armenia has attached importance to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam in all fields. The visit aims to further promote the relationship between the two countries' legislatures, develop parliamentary cooperation more and more effectively, and create momentum to expand substantive cooperation between Vietnam and Armenia.
Vietnam and Armenia have a time-honoured friendship and fine cooperation. The Government and people of Armenia have provided Vietnam with valuable and effective assistance during the heroic and arduous years of the Vietnamese people's fight for national liberation. Many Vietnamese scientists and experts have been trained by Armenian friends. In 1992, diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Armenia were officially established, marking a milestone in the history of the development of relations between the two countries.
Over the past 30 years, Vietnam and Armenia have continuously promoted effective cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral levels. The political relations between the two countries have been good through the maintenance of high-level and all-level delegation exchanges. The official opening of the Armenian Embassy in Vietnam in 2013 was an important highlight, opening a new stage of development in bilateral relations.
Economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Armenia has had positive developments. The two sides have the Vietnam-Armenia inter-governmental committee on economic-trade and science-technology cooperation, which held its first session in March 2017 in Hanoi. In addition, the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Armenia is a member, in 2015 has opened up opportunities for the development of economic-trade relations between Vietnam and EAEU countries in general and Armenia in particular. Vietnam-Armenia trade turnover in the first 6 months of 2024 reached nearly 242 million USD, up 75% compared to the same period in 2023.
The two-way trade in the first 6 months of 2024 reached nearly 242 million USD, up 75% compared to the same period in 2023.
Regarding investment, Armenia has a number of direct investment projects in Vietnam, while Vietnam has also encouraged businesses to invest in Armenia, especially in advantageous fields such as agriculture, food processing and textiles. The two sides have maintained regular contacts and exchanges of delegations at all levels, promoting cooperation between ministries, branches and localities of the two countries, thereby enhancing political trust, mutual understanding, creating a solid foundation for promoting cooperation in other fields.
In the midst of rapid and complicated changes in the world today, cooperation and development are always the main flow. Along with that flow, Vietnam and Armenia have closely coordinated at multilateral forums such as the United Nations and the Francophone Community; at the same time, actively, proactively and responsibly contributed to building peace and stability in the region and the world. Armenia has considered Vietnam an important partner in Southeast Asia, while Vietnam can, through cooperation with Armenia, promote relations with countries in the South Caucasus region.
In addition, the relationship between the two National Assemblies have continues to be maintained, contributing to promoting bilateral cooperation. The two sides coordinate activities and exchanges at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the Francophone Parliamentary Union (APF). The Armenian Parliament established the Armenia-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group in 2021.
With the tireless efforts of generations of leaders and people of the two countries, the fine friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Armenia continue to develop positively, promising to reach new heights. The official visit to Vietnam by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Alen Simonyan shows that parliamentary cooperation is an important pillar in the bilateral relationship; at the same time, it once again affirms the determination of both countries to strengthen connectivity, opening a new chapter with more achievements on the path of developing Vietnam-Armenia relations.
