Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh and participants at the ceremony. Photo: VNA The Vietnamese Embassy in the US on August 26 held a ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomacy sector (August 28).
Addressing the event, Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh reviewed the sector’s 70-year glorious path of serving national defence and construction.
He said that this year is an important year for Vietnam-US ties as the two countries are celebrating the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations with a recent visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the US, during which both sides issued a joint vision statement.
The diplomat expressed his belief in the bright future of Vietnam-US ties.
On the occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Trong Son also spoke to Vietnam News Agency correspondents on the achievements Vietnamese Embassy in France has obtained in past years as a result of the comprehensive diplomatic programme in the host country.
The embassy has contributed to increasing the two countries’ delegation exchanges at all levels. French President Francois Mitterand was the first western president to visit Vietnam in 1993, while President Jacques Chirac came to Vietnam twice and incumbent President Francois Hollande plans to visit the country soon, he noted.
Economic diplomacy has also been sped up, he said, noting that France is now one of the largest European investors and trade partners of Vietnam.
About 7,000 Vietnamese nationals are currently studying in France, said the ambassador.
In terms of diplomacy among the peoples, Son said many French walked hand-in-hand with Vietnamese during the revolution for national independence, with outstanding names like Henri Martin and Raymonde Dien.
The embassy has maintained a loyal camaraderie with traditional friends while expanding affable relations with French people through different channels, helping promoting the image of Vietnam and its people in France, he said.
The diplomacy sector, established in August 28, 1945 with the formation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has contributed significantly to the national revolution with victories seen in the Geneva Agreement in 1954 and Paris Agreement in 1973.
So far, Vietnam has set up diplomatic relations with 185 countries and strategic partnerships with 24 entities, including all United Nations Security Council permanent members.
Vietnam also has economic-trade relations with 220 countries and has become a member of 70 regional and international organisations.-VNA
