National Assembly Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong meets with Iranian Vice President Seyyed Mohammed Hosseini. (Photo: quochoi.vn)

Vietnam and Iran have had diplomatic ties for half a century, and during this time they have made solid gains in cooperation, said Ambassador Nazari.

The relationship is based on respect and friendship, on political, economic, and cultural cooperation, and on collaboration in the international arena, he noted.

“One important and noteworthy point is the very friendly relations between the two countries based on mutual respect without the slightest difference or problem during the last 50 years, which is a very long time,” said Mr. Nazari. He cited another point to the trade and economic complementarity of the two countries and a close cultural similarity.

So far, nine meetings of the Joint Economic Commission and seven rounds of the Political Consultative Committee have been held. There has been constructive cooperation, mutual support, and friendly relations between the two countries at the international level.

Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security To Lam (L) pays courtesy visit to Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Mokhber. (Photo: bocongan.gov.vn)

President Ebrahim Raisi’s Government is pursuing a foreign policy that gives priority to neighbors and centers on Asia, including Vietnam.

Among the many reasons for this, Ambassador Nazari said, are the new position of Asia in the global equation in what is being called the Asian Century, a history of friendship without tension or biased policies, and the significant growth of Asian countries and their growing need for energy.

Considering the political will to cooperate and strengthen relations, the above-mentioned positive factors regarding Asia, and the complementarities of economies, Mr. Ambassador insisted, “Vietnam is definitely one of the countries on the priority list.”

“Fortunately, the exchange of delegations has been revived in the post-Covid period. Vietnam’s Minister of Public Security visited Iran in May, 2023, and soon a high-ranking Vietnamese official will pay a visit to Iran,” said the Ambassador.

Consulting session on exporting to Iran market organized by Vietnam Trade Promotion and Trade Office in Iran on April 1, 2022 (Photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

Trade cooperation is a major pillar in bilateral cooperation but figures show that this cooperation is not yet on a par with the two countries’ potential.

The two established diplomatic relations in 1973, and economic cooperation began in the early 90s and has flourished in the past two decades. Two-way trade was only 6.5 million USD in 2001 but rose to more than 124 million USD in 2021.

According to Ambassador Nazari, the current “non-expansion” of bilateral economic diplomacy must have reasons and requires expert analysis to remove the obstacles.

But he said it’s possibly due to a lack of accurate and sufficient knowledge of the two countries’ economic activities and the capabilities and capacities of Iran-Vietnam cooperation, the spread of the pandemic, and the lack of regular direct shipping and air routes.

“It’s not enough for the people of two countries to know each other. Considering the positive experiences in this field, I believe that the people of the two countries knowing and understanding the realities of each other’s experience can have a very positive effect on increasing economic and commercial interactions,” said Ambassador Nazari.

He took holding joint trade exhibitions as an important example in introducing the capacities and capabilities of Iran and Vietnam to each other, and it seems this possibility has not been exploited sufficiently so far.

Another important solution is the signing of basic documents such as a preferential trade agreement and, in the long term, a free trade agreement, which will facilitate and strengthen trade relations.

To that end, Ambassador Nazari said that he strongly believes in the role of an exchange of views and delegations for expert reviews and synergy to find new capacities."

Therefore, in this field, we have developed specific plans for implementation,” said the Ambassador.

The inauguration of the Exhibition on Iranian Art Heritage, the cradle of civilisation, on July 13, 2022 at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. (Photo courtesy of the embassy)

Vietnam and Iran have signed a number of cooperation agreements in various areas. But these agreements were planned long ago, and they may not have kept up with present and future development trends.

Exchanging delegations and views and receiving up-to-date information directly from first-hand sources can have a significant added value for expanding bilateral relations. The first meeting of a consultative dialogue mechanism has been held in Hanoi.

“This meeting was a great opportunity for an expert review of bilateral relations issues, especially in the post-COVID era, which has caused countries to focus on the control and management of the virus,” said Ambassador Nazari, adding, “Plans for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the exchange of delegations, and strengthening relations in all fields, especially commercially and economically, were among the highlights of this meeting.”

Over the past half century, the two countries and the two economies have not competed, but have complemented each other.

For example, Vietnam mainly exports to Iran agricultural products, seafood, textiles and footwear, and mainly imports petroleum products and pharmaceuticals from Iran.

To further promote cooperation, Ambassador Nazari suggested, “In addition to expanding political relations between the two countries, emphasis should be placed on people-to-people exchanges and the development of cultural diplomacy. In 2023 we are planning to hold two cultural events: the Iranian Film Week in Vietnam and a week to introduce Isfahan – one of Iran’s most important cultural cities – to Vietnam.”

Ambassador Nazari said energy, food, agriculture, tourism, culture, and art are among potential areas for bilateral cooperation.

Vietnam can be a gateway for Iran to increase trade and the distribution of goods in Southeast Asia, and Iran can help Vietnam expand its markets in the Middle East, he noted.