Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh has said foreign diplomats and heads of international organisations contributed to Vietnam’s socio-economic development in 2018.
Meeting with the diplomatic corps in Hanoi on January 23, the Deputy PM thanked them for their contributions to promoting friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and countries as well as international organisations around the world.
He highlighted the country’s achievements in the year, saying that despite formidable challenges, Vietnam fulfilled 12 socio-economic criteria set for the year, with GDP reaching 7.08 percent -the highest level recorded since 2008.
Regarding external affairs, he said that the 61 high-level visits in 2018 made the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and foreign countries develop into a more extensive manner.
In 2019, Vietnam will consistently promote its efforts to integrate into the global economy, he stressed, underlining that the country will strongly engage in economic linkages and implement the signed free trade agreements to bring more opportunities on economic cooperation, trade and investment between Vietnam and other countries.
Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung said Hanoi comprehensively deployed its foreign work in 2018 and reaped remarkable results, contributing to promoting the socio-economic development of the capital city and the country in general.
He thanked the diplomats and heads of international organisations and representatives foreign enterprises from countries for their contributions to the friendship and effective cooperation with Hanoi in recent times.
Chung affirmed that in the coming time, Hanoi will continue pursuing its goal to build Hanoi into a green, civilised and modern city, while promoting administrative reform, improving investment and business environment, raising competitiveness and optimising resources for development, he stressed.
For his part, Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, who is head of the diplomatic corps, shared his joy with Vietnam’s strong and stable growth, saying that Vietnam is an open country in bilateral cooperation and always supports justice, he stressed.
“We recognise Vietnam’s efforts and are determined to make more contributions to Vietnam’s development in the coming time”, he said.-VNA
VNA
