Roundtable on West and East Asia: Insights for Vietnam

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The roundtable was co-chaired by Ali Salehian, Senior Researcher at the Governance and Policy Think Tank of Iran (GPTT), and President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son.

Speakers attended online. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

The event featured online participation, including senior advisors and senior researchers of the GPTT, professors, and researchers from Allameh Tabatabai University, Tehran University, and staff from the Embassy of Iran in Vietnam.

On-site participants included representatives from the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Institute for African and Middle Eastern Studies, the Vietnam National University, and officials from the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations departments (VUFO).

In his opening remarks, Majid Afahani, Director of the International Affairs Department under the GPTT provided an overview of the global and Asian situation, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between countries. He highlighted that culture and cultural heritage play a vital role in connecting countries in the region, creating new opportunities for closer ties.

Regarding West Asia, he pointed out the complex transformations the region is undergoing, with several challenges becoming common concerns for countries. He called on freedom-loving and peace-promoting nations, including Vietnam, to contribute to fostering peace and protecting vulnerable people.

During the roundtable, Nguyen Quang Khai, former Director of the West Asia - Africa Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE, Iraq provided insights into the cooperation between Vietnam and Iran.

Overview of the roundtable. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Accordingly, since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973, the political ties between Iran and Vietnam have been excellent, marked by many high-level visits between the two countries and numerous agreements in areas including economics, culture, science, technology, and agriculture. However, economic cooperation remains modest, with trade turnover ranging from US $100 to US $200 million annually.

In his presentation on the prospects of Vietnam-Iran relations, Le Phuoc Minh, former Director of the Vietnam Institute for African and Middle Eastern Studies, noted that deeper regional integration in the current context would create significant potential for the relationship between the two countries.

He also emphasized the large scale and high growth potential of the Halal industry. Vietnam-Iran economic cooperation could be further promoted by seizing opportunities and effectively tapping into this market.

In his remarks, VUFO President Phan Anh Son highlighted that Vietnam and Iran share many similarities and common goals for national development. Consequently, both nations are eager to strengthen bilateral cooperation in diplomacy and other fields, including culture, education, science, and economic collaboration.

Recognizing the value and practical significance of the presentations, the VUFO President announced that there would be further roundtables organized between VUFO and the GPTT.

These discussions aim to enhance the exchange of information and deepen mutual understanding between researchers and academic institutions of both countries. This foundation will support the promotion of Vietnam-Iran cooperation across various fields, especially in economics, culture, and tourism, aligning with the potential of their bilateral relationship.

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