Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang congratulates the Government and people of Iran on their remarkable socio-economic accomplishments over the past 44 years. (Photo: T.A)

Among participants at the ceremony, there were also Vice Chairman of Justice Committee of the National Assembly, President of Vietnam-Iran Parliamentary Friendship Group Do Duc Hong Ha; President of Vietnam-Iran Friendship Association Nguyen Van Pha; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassador of State of Palestine Saadi Salama, Ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps.

In her welcoming remarks, the Deputy Foreign Minister congratulated the Government and people of Iran on their remarkable socio-economic accomplishments over the past 44 years.

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Iran have scored positive developments in recent years. After the Covid-19 pandemic was brought under control, the two sides promptly resumed bilateral cooperation mechanisms and delegation exchange at all levels. Amongst those activities, the visit to Iran in December 2022 by Vice President of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Quang Phuong was an earmark event, helping strengthen parliamentary cooperation and political trust between both sides, and open up new directions for bilateral cooperation in the future.

“Besides political and diplomatic interactions, economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Iran has also been bolstered and achieved positive results”, she said.

The official also highlighted the other cooperation areas that have witnessed encouraging results, such science and technology, notably in nanotechnology, satellite and space technology, and digital transformation. There is vast potential for cooperation in these fields in the future, the Deputy FM stated.

With regard tourism, she emphasized that in the post-Covid-19 period, both Vietnam and Iran, having a large number of magnificent natural landscapes and majestic historical sites, become favorite destinations for foreign tourists who love exploring history, cultures and leisure activities.

Vietnam and Iran will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. On the basis of long-standing, sound cooperation relations and with the determination of the leaders and peoples of both countries, the Deputy Foreign Minister expressed her belief that the year 2023 will witness many opportunities for cooperation between the two countries unfold in various fields such as politics - diplomacy, trade, science and technology, tourism, education, culture, and people-to-people exchange.

Iranian Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari and Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang. (Photo: T.A)

In his speech, Iranian Ambassador to Vietnam Ali Akbar Nazari said that Vietnam and Iran treasure a time-honored history of exchanges and share a great deal of cultural similarities; each side has its own advantages to complement each other effectively in socio-economic endeavors.

“Over the past 50 years, these relations have been formed based on three components of, mutual respect, promotion of bilateral relations and reciprocally constructive cooperation in multilateralism. I strongly believe that given the encouraging momentum of our relationship, there are even greater potentialities for brighter future cooperation”, the Ambassador said.

Participants at the ceremony take a group photo. (Photo: T.A)

Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari also affirmed that Iran attaches great importance to its relationship with Vietnam and is ready to strengthen bilateral relations with the country in all areas. Even during the difficult and challenging days of Covid-19 pandemic, there were close connections and consultation between the two countries at different levels, he noted.

Talking about numerous rooms and capacities for cooperation in economy, trade, investment, culture, and tourism between the two countries, Iranian Ambassador believed bilateral ties between Iran and Vietnam will be further expanded and bear more fruits in the coming time “through our joint efforts and determination based on mutual respect and benefit”.