US President Donald Trump and DPRK President Kim Jong Un at the 2nd Summit in Hanoi in February 2019. (Photo: Reuters)
Over the past years, Vietnam’s foreign affairs have been professionally implemented, using strategic vision and effective and specific steps, contributing to the maintenance of a peaceful and stable environment, thus attracting external resources for the country's development, firmly defending the national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and further enhancing the country's position in the international arena. So far, Vietnam has established strategic partnership with 16 countries and comprehensive partnership with 11 countries, including all P5 countries (the US, Russia, China, France, UK) and most of the key countries in the region and the world.
The visits of high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to countries have been constantly expanded and strengthened, contributing to deepening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries; besides hundreds of exchanges at lower levels.
In terms of economic diplomacy, so far, over 70 countries have recognized Vietnam as a market economy. Over the past years, Vietnam has actively participated in the negotiation, signing and ratification of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with 16 bilateral and multilateral FTAs. This not only contributes to promoting trade and investment for the Vietnamese economy, but also demonstrates Vietnam's initiative in establishing an international trading system. According to Ambassador Nguyen Nguyet Nga, Vice President of the Vietnam National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation, Vietnam is entering a key stage of development. “We have greatest ever benefits with our partners’ benefits, with 27 strategic and comprehensive partners and 59 FTA partners,” she said.
In 2019, Vietnam exerted effective and positive multilateral diplomatic efforts. In February, Vietnam hosted the second US-DPRK Summit in Hanoi, showing Vietnam's active and proactive contribution to many regional and international issues. In June, Vietnam became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council with a record high number of votes in favour (192 of 193 votes).
In 2020, being both a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the Chair of ASEAN, Vietnam will have to continue to make greater efforts. Multilateral foreign relations, especially in key forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations and the Non-Aligned movement, will always be at the forefront of efforts to protect national sovereignty, territorial integrity, and maintain a peaceful and stable environment to serve national development.
Active participation in and fulfilling high responsibilities to the international community is an excellent opportunity for Vietnam to enhance its position in the international arena, thus promoting the nation's development. Vietnam is known by the world not only as one of the outstanding economies in the Asia-Pacific region, with average economic growth rate of 6.8%, but also an innovative, reliable and proactive partner in cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh emphasized that Vietnamese diplomacy has not only made great achievements, but also built up a precious and glorious tradition, that is its loyalty with the Party and the nation’s benefits.
Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, the first Foreign Minister, the diplomatic sector has always tried its best to successfully implement the Party's foreign policies and successfully fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party and the people./.