Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh spotlightedprominent achievements of the diplomatic sector over the last two years whenaddressing the 31st DiplomaticConference that was held in both in-person and online forms in Hanoi onDecember 15.
In his speech, the PM said the sector has effectively implemented the Party's foreign policy, especially fulfilling the role of the ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the2020-2021 term.
The sector has also actively participated in the fight against the COVID-19pandemic and in socio-economic recovery and development,including the vaccine strategy, he stressed.
However, besides such outstanding results, the country's diplomatic sector still faces challenges related to strategic research and diplomatic database, he noted.
According to the PM, Vietnam will focus on the following majororientations: building a socialist democracy, a socialist rule-of-law state and socialist-oriented market economy,promoting active and proactive international integration and being an active member of theinternational community, towards the goal of becoming a developing nation with modern industry and upper middle-income level by2030, and a developedand high-income country by 2045.
All diplomatic activities must be directed towards and forthe interests of the country and people, and legitimate interests of theinternational community, the Government leader said.
Diplomatic work needs to show " sincerity, trust, equality, efficiency andmutual development”, and must also be "resolute, steadfast, flexible,scientific and effective", he stressed.
The PM outlined basic orientations for the three pillarsof diplomacy - politics, economy, and culture. He said politicaldiplomacy must follow a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and development.
Meanwhile, economic diplomacy must contribute toperfecting the institutions, attractinggreen and clean technology and green finance, promoting the effective implementationof free trade agreements and cooperation in training human resources, improving the investment environment, linking the country with globalproduction and supply chains, and accelerating development of innovativestartup ecosystem, he said.
Regarding cultural diplomacy, PM Chinh stressed that it isnecessary to implement goals, viewpoints, tasks and solutions set forth by the13th Party Congress and the last National Cultural Conference, thus contributing to preserving and upholding Vietnamese cultural and people values.
Participants assessed major trends in the current world situationand the global economy, and pointed out opportunities and challenges forVietnam to successfully implement socio-economic development goals in thecoming time.
They also proposed specific measures to implement the motto "economic diplomacy serving development, and takingpeople, localities and businesses as the centre of service”./.
Symposium spotlights late Foreign Minister Nguyen Co Thach’s vision on diplomacy development
Late Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Co Thach was the pioneer who had put forth drastic and timely ideas to deal with limitations in the diplomatic sector when the country just emerged from war and faced great challenges, former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan told a symposium on April 16.