Diplomatic efforts affirm Vietnam’s position in international arena amid COVID-19

The diplomatic sector has continued to affirm Vietnam’s position in the international arena amid the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said.
Diplomatic efforts affirm Vietnam’s position in international arena amid COVID-19 ảnh 1Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - The diplomatic sector has continued to affirmVietnam’s position in the international arena amid the global impact of theCOVID-19 pandemic, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minhhas said.

Speaking with the media on December 24, the Deputy PMsaid that, under the leadership of the Party, the entire political system fullyfulfilled the twin targets of fighting the pandemic and maintaining a stableenvironment for socio-economic development.

This was a major achievement by the country in 2020 andprovided favourable conditions for the Party and State’s external affairs activities,Minh said.

External activities were implemented effectively inboth bilateral and multilateral respects.

Vietnam maintained relations with partners this year throughmoving meetings and conferences to the online format. Thirty-three phone discussionsbetween senior leaders in Vietnam and those of key countries around the worldwere held in 2020, during which they discussed measures to enhance bilateralties.

Vietnam also fulfilled its roles as ASEAN Chair, Chairof the 41st ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) GeneralAssembly, and non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council(UNSC) this year.

The country helped promote solidarity and cohesiveness inASEAN in responding to changes in the region and the world.

It also contributed ideas to issues within the frameworkof the UNSC as a representative of developing countries as well as small and mediumcountries.

Regarding economic integration, Minh said Vietnamratified the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement during the year and worked,together with other countries, to sign the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP).

When COVID-19 broke out around the world and theregion, the need to protect Vietnamese citizens abroad became more essentialthan ever.

Diplomatic efforts affirm Vietnam’s position in international arena amid COVID-19 ảnh 2Vietnamese citizens line up at an airport to board a plane home (Photo: VNA)

Since the beginning of the year, more than 260 flightshave been conducted bringing home over 73,000 Vietnamese citizens from 59countries and territories, he added.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the situation continues todevelop in a complex manner. Vietnam, however, has maintained a stableenvironment in the waters through various measures, including those related tobilateral relations with other countries.

Vietnam raised the issue at all meetings with leaders ofother countries, with the goal to ensure a peaceful and stable environment,respect international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of theSea, and avoid any activities that may complicate the situation.

The country also mentioned the East Sea issue atinternational and ASEAN conferences, with consensus and support received fromother nations.

Vietnam has also maintained normal economic activitiesin legitimate waters within its exclusive economic zone, Minh said.

He affirmed that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam excellentlyfulfilled its role as ASEAN Chair.

This is also the assessment of the internationalcommunity, ASEAN countries, and the general public, he added.

The theme “Cohesive & Responsive” that Vietnam selectedproved appropriate, expressing the goal of intensifying the central role and solidarityof ASEAN as well as the bloc’s responsiveness to the new circumstances.

Diplomatic efforts affirm Vietnam’s position in international arena amid COVID-19 ảnh 3Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit in November (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam also ensured all working agendas of the ASEANChairmanship Year were implemented, including those involved in the building ofthe ASEAN Community.

The country has to date got ASEAN approval of more than80 documents, and 28 out of 32 initiatives put forward by Vietnam were writteninto documents.

Vietnam also organised special meetings within theframework of ASEAN and with bloc partners in response to the pandemic and setforth four important matters, including the establishment of the ASEAN COVID-19Response Fund and the ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies.

The Deputy PM said that, in its role, Vietnam steppedup discussions on ASEAN connectivity with sub-regions, especially cooperationwith Mekong region countries.

Diplomatic efforts affirm Vietnam’s position in international arena amid COVID-19 ảnh 4Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the UN, speaks at a UNSC session on November 23 (Source: VNA)

In the first year of its two-year term on the UNSC,Vietnam made active contributions based on the principle of ensuringindependence and respecting international law and the interests of countries toresolve issues in the region and the world.

Vietnam has promoted its priorities this year, which isthe role of women for peace and security.

The country also drafted a resolution designatingDecember 27 as International Day of Epidemic Preparedness, which was approvedby the UNSC General Assembly during its 75th session, Minh said,adding that the event marked an important milestone for Vietnam’s diplomaticsector.

Vietnam will continue implementing priorities in 2021,including resolving conflicts, the issue of children in conflict, post-conflictsocio-economic recovery, post-conflict mine clearance, climate change, andpeacekeeping missions.

The most important mission for the diplomatic sector inthe new year will be to maintain a peaceful and stable environment and protect Vietnam’sindependence and sovereignty over seas and islands.

The country continues to consolidate and deepen itsrelations with partners, particularly strategic and comprehensive partners andneighbouring countries.

In the context of complex developments in the COVID-19pandemic, citizen protection remains a priority for the diplomatic sector inthe time to come, Minh added./.
VNA

See more

Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet pays a courtesy call to New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Vietnam, New Zealand hold 13th political consultation

Vietnam and New Zealand agreed to enhance political trust through more bilateral exchanges and consultations, strengthen defence and security cooperation, and strongly implement practical measures to facilitate market access for each other's products, aiming to reach the trade target of 3 billion USD.

The first meeting of the Government’s Party Committee in the 2020-2025 tenure in Hanoi on February 5. (Photo: VNA)

Government determined to build clean, strong Party organisation: PM

PM Pham Minh Chinh urged efforts to build a clean and strong Party organisation of the Government, resolutely deal with any cadre or Party member showing degradation in political thought, morality or lifestyle, self-evolution, and self-transformation, and push ahead with the combat against corruption.

☕ Afternoon briefing on February 5

☕ Afternoon briefing on February 5

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 42nd session in Hanoi on February 5 under the chair of NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

State President Luong Cuong (Photo: VNA)

State President urges Lang Son to address obstacles to development

Noting that Lang Son needs to focus on thoroughly and deeply assessing its situation, opportunities, and challenges to determine the direction for development, Cuong emphasised the importance of bringing into full play the province's strengths, such as its border economy, sustainable tourism, and smart agriculture linked to export processing industries.

After beating a drum to kick off the tree-planting festival, State President Luong Cuong joins delegates, representatives of political and social organisations, and local residents in planting trees at a hill in Chi Lang district’s Chien Thang commune. (Photo: VNA)

State President joins tree planting festival in Lang Son province

President Luong Cuong commended the local authorities, agencies, and organisations and localities nationwide in general for their achievements, as well as innovative, practical, and effective initiatives in implementing tree-planting movements and the 1-billion-tree growing project in recent years.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man addresses the NA Standing Committee's 42nd session. (Photo: VNA)

NA Standing Committee convenes 42nd session

The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee convened its 42nd session in Hanoi on February 5, focusing on reviewing and providing feedback on draft laws and resolutions set for immediate issuance to facilitate the restructuring and streamlining of the government apparatus.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspects the construction of Tan Van intersection of the Ho Chi Minh City's Ring Road 3 through Binh Duong province. (Photo: VNA)

PM orders focus on key tasks to ensure fulfillment of socio-economic development goals

The Government leader asked for urgent, serious, synchronous and effective implementation of projects, tasks, and solutions outlined in resolutions and conclusions of the Party Central Committee, the National Assembly, and the Government, especially a supplementary plan for socio-economic development in 2025, aiming for a growth rate of at least 8%.

PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Government's regular meeting on February 5. (Photo: VNA)

PM Pham Minh Chinh chairs Government’s monthly meeting

Stressing that all ministries and localities must achieve a minimum growth rate of 8% to lay the groundwork for double-digit growth in the coming years, PM Pham Minh Chinh requested the Government members to propose measures to stabilise the macroeconomy, curb inflation, promote growth, revitalise both traditional and emerging growth drivers.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (L) hosts head of the Republic of Kalmykia Batu Khasikov (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Kalmykia seek stronger cooperation

As this year’s annual World Buddhist Forum will be held in Kalmykia, and the Kalmyk leadership is eager to invite Vietnamese representatives, Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi emphasised that this will not only provide an excellent opportunity for exchange for Buddhists and scholars but also highlight shared cultural aspects such as traditional martial arts.

☀️ Morning digest on February 5

☀️ Morning digest on February 5

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam on February 4 held phone talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam holds phone talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Top leaders of Vietnam, Cuba hold phone talks

On behalf of the Party, State, people of Cuba and General Raul Castro Ruz, Diaz-Canel conveyed the best wishes to the Party, State and people of Vietnam on the occasion of the 95th founding anniversary of the CPV (February 3, 1930 - 2025) and the Lunar New Year of the Snake.