The 27th diplomatic conference wrapped up in Hanoi on Dec. 19 after a week-long sitting.

The conference discussed the diplomatic policies set out at the 11th Party Congress and proposed directions for implementation of the country’s international integration and comprehensive diplomacy.

The diplomats reviewed the implementation of political, economic and cultural diplomacy, and Overseas Vietnamese affairs.

This year’s conference included joint working sessions with trade counsellors at Vietnamese embassies overseas and external relations officials nationwide.

Speaking at the conference, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said the country’s diplomatic sector will make strong efforts to implement the comprehensive diplomatic policy.

The focus of external relations will be deepening relations between Vietnam and regional and neighbouring countries, major countries and traditional friends, contributing to protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity while maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for the country’s development.

The conference also deliberated measures to take advantage of external resources to promote national industrialisation and modernisation in accordance with new directions for development./.