The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) advocates proactively participating in multilateral organisations and forums of political parties and prioritising the consolidation of its ties with the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP).

Hoang Binh Quan, who is a CPV Central Committee member and Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, made the remarks in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 19th meeting of the ICAPP Standing Committee in Hanoi on April 25.

The event attracted the participation of 37 delegations from Asian countries’ ruling and political parties, and guests and observers from 26 countries across five continents.

At the ceremony, Quan stressed that Vietnam continues to expand its relationship with the international community and create multilateral links.

Vietnam has built diplomatic ties with 180 countries, economic and trade links with approximately 230 nations and territories, and investment partnerships with nearly 100 countries and territories.

Regarding multilateral relationships, Vietnam is an active and responsible member of all the large regional and international organisations and forums.

The CPV also continues establishing new cooperative relations with international parties. To date, it has developed relations with 206 parties in 115 countries.

As a member of the ICAPP Standing Committee, the CPV understands its role and responsibility in promoting the organisation’s common goals; sharing opportunities and challenges; promoting understanding, belief and cooperation among political parties in the region; and maintaining peace, stability and prosperous development in Asia.

Over the past 13 years, ICAPP’s conferences and forums have helped promote cooperation among political parties in the region and the world, contributing considerably to regional links and the resolution of disputes, said Quan.

Vietnam appreciates and acknowledges the important role of the ICAPP Standing Committee as the organisation’s controlling body that directs the deep and wide development of its members.

ICAPP includes 340 member parties from 35 countries. The forum aims to promote exchanges and cooperation between political parties from different countries with various ideologies, strengthen mutual understanding and trust among Asian countries, and foster regional and international peace and prosperity.

The organisation has held seven general assemblies and many sessions in member countries since 2000.

Vuong Thua Phong, Deputy Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, who headed the Vietnamese delegation to the meeting, noted that by participating in ICAPP’s activities over the past time, the CPV has broadened its relations with other political parties in the region, contributing to creating a consensus among political parties on various regional issues.

ICAPP’s founding Chairman and President of the ICAPP Standing Committee Jose De Venecia, Jr said the CPV has had a host of initiatives and practical contributions to realising ICAPP’s goals and prioritised projects.

Jose De Venecia, Jr, who is a former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, also spoke of the CPV’s leadership, attributing it to Vietnamese people’s immense revolutionary and national building and development achievements.-VNA