Category: Politics

On March 23, a telephone conversation took place between Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.

During the telephone conversation, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed deep sorrow over the terrible terrorist attack that resulted in numerous casualties in the Crocus City Hall center in Moscow on 22 March.

The minister has expressed deep condolences to the families and relatives of the victims, the people and government of Russia, and wished a speedy recovery to the victims.

It was emphasized that the Republic of Azerbaijan, as a state suffering from terrorism, categorically condemns all its forms and manifestations.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

Azerbaijani citizens are visiting the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Baku to commemorate those who were killed in a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in the city of Moscow.

The citizens lay flowers in front of the embassy and pray for the souls of the dead.

An online book of condolences has been opened by the embassy.

Due to the tragedy, the national flag of the Russian Federation was lowered to half-mast at the embassy.

The death toll in a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow has risen to 115.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ali Asadov has sent a letter of condolences to Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin.

In his letter, Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov said he was deeply saddened by the news of numerous casualties and injuries as a result of a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue in Moscow.

PM Ali Asadov extended his sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of those who were killed and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has sent a letter of condolences to President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin regarding the terrible terrorist attack that occurred in Moscow.

‘We were deeply shocked by the news of the terrible terrorist attack that took place in the Crocus City Hall concert venue.

I strongly condemn this act of terrorism, and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan and on my own behalf, I wish you, the people of Russia, and the families and loved ones of those who were killed patience, and the injured a speedy recovery,’ the head of state said in his letter.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

The Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network and the Inter-Parliamentary Union have inked a Memorandum of Understanding on the margins of the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva.

The document was signed on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network by Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Network, and on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Union by Martin Chungong, the IPU Secretary General.

Following the signing ceremony, the sides noted that the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, established on the initiative of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, plays an important role in expanding parliamentary diplomacy and deepening cooperation between the legislative bodies of the Non-Aligned Movement member states. They emphasized that the cooperation between the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network and the Inter-Parliamentary Union will serve to diversify activities in
this area.

They also hailed the development of relations between the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The signed memorandum will enhance ties between the two organizations and promote cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy on issues of common concern.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

The Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network and the Inter-Parliamentary Union have inked a Memorandum of Understanding on the margins of the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva.

The document was signed on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network by Sahiba Gafarova, the Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Chairwoman of the Parliamentary Network, and on behalf of the Inter-Parliamentary Union by Martin Chungong, the IPU Secretary General.

Following the signing ceremony, the sides noted that the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network, established on the initiative of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, plays an important role in expanding parliamentary diplomacy and deepening cooperation between the legislative bodies of the Non-Aligned Movement member states. They emphasized that the cooperation between the Non-Aligned Movement Parliamentary Network and the Inter-Parliamentary Union will serve to diversify activities in
this area.

They also hailed the development of relations between the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The signed memorandum will enhance ties between the two organizations and promote cooperation through parliamentary diplomacy on issues of common concern.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

Binh Dinh: The Amazing Binh Dinh Fest, considered one of the biggest events in the central province of Binh Dinh, kicked off on March 22 with an impressive art show involving hundreds of artists.

It showcased a musical play depicting the historical periods of Binh Dinh. The performance combined elements of traditional music, world music, and local traditional martial arts.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Pham Anh Tuan said the festival runs from March 22-31, featuring a variety of cultural, sports and tourism activities. It aims to promote the culture, tourism and sporting spirit of people in Binh Dinh province.

The highlights of the festival includes the UIM-ABP Aquabike World Championship taking place from March 22-24 and the UIM – F1H2O Grand Prix from March 29-31.

Other main activities include a culinary fest, a buffet party with 77 quintessential specialties of Binh Dinh province, an international music night, the Binh Dinh martial arts night, the Aquabi
ke Show, a Drone Light and motorised paragliders show as well as investment and trade promotion conferences with the Vietnam-Canada Business Association.

Some cultural, sports and tourism activities will also be held within the framework of the festival, such as a street carnival programme, a street music and performing arts programme, and a traditional boat racing tournament.

Binh Dinh welcomed more than 5 million tourists in 2023, earning more than 16.5 trillion VND (666 million USD), an increase of 25% compared to 2022. The province targets 5.5 million visitors and 18.5 trillion VND in tourism revenue this year./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The visit to Vietnam by Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho from March 24-26 is expected to help strengthen the cooperative relations between the two countries in various areas, said Don Tuan Phong, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA)’s Committee for Foreign Affairs.

Speaking to the media ahead of the visit, made at the invitation of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Phong said that this is his first visit outside Europe by Jussi Halla-aho since he took office and he will visit only Vietnam this time, showing Vietnam’s special position in Finland’s foreign policy, as well as the good friendship between the two countries’ legislatures.

The visit also aims to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations (1973-2023), he added.

According to the official, for the last 51 years, the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Finland have been maintained and developed well. Finland always gives Vietnam much attention and support.

Finl
and has continuously provided non-refundable aid to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic relations. Economic-trade-investment cooperation is a top priority in their relations.

Two-way trade has continuously increased, reaching nearly 380 million USD in 2023. However, it is still a modest number, especially in the context of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) taking effect in 2020.

Regarding investment, Finland currently ranks 58th out of 140 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 35 valid projects worth over 47 million USD, which also remains modest rate compared to Finland’s economic potential and strengths, Phong said.

Therefore, Phong said through this visit, leaders of the two countries will discuss measures to further strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation, particularly how to raise trade turnover, increase Finnish investment in Vietnam, and attract more Finnish businesses to Vietnam, especially in fields where the European country has strengths
and Vietnam has demand like high technology, digital transformation, education-training, and component production.

The two sides also expect to strengthen their cooperation in education and training, as now about 2,500 Vietnamese students are studying in Finland, he added.

Vietnam will take this occasion to thank Finland for supporting the 12,000-strong Vietnamese community in the country and calling on the country to keep creating favourable conditions for the community to integrate deeper in the host nation and further contribute to the socio-economic development of Finland as well as the relations between the two countries, he noted.

He stressed that the legislatures of Vietnam and Finland have been closely coordinating and supporting each other. Their cooperation has been maintained properly through the exchanges of high-level NA delegations.

The two sides have coordinated and supported each other at regional and international parliamentary forums. Speaker Jussi Halla-aho’s visit to Vietnam will contr
ibute to consolidating and further promoting the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Finland, including their legislatures.

Phong informed that the top legislators of Vietnam and Finland will discuss measures to strengthen cooperation between the two legislative bodies, especially in exchanging experience in legislation and supreme supervision, and deciding on important national issues./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency