Paul Thoppil, Assistant Deputy Minister at Global Affairs Canada, speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) In his speech, Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Cao Phong stressed that Vietnam is looking to the future with a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and diversification and multilateralisation of external relations.
Vietnam is a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community, the diplomat affirmed.
He said the Vietnamese people are determined to protect independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, the people's right to self-determination, and each citizen's right to pursue happiness.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Canada Pham Cao Phong (3rd from right) and representatives of the Canadian Government and parliament and foreign diplomatic missions. (Photo: VNA) Thoppil said he is optimistic that Vietnam can become a strategic partner of Canada in the future, as the two countries continue to build a common vision of peace, stability and prosperity for ASEAN and its people.
He noted that as a country bordering the Pacific Ocean, Canada recognises the profound and growing importance of the Indo-Pacific and Southeast Asia.
The official stated Canada will strive to engage more deeply in the region, both bilaterally and through the regional architecture, as the sides share a common interest in ensuring the regional peace, stability, and prosperity./.
VNA
