A workshop to introduce the foreign news service development strategy for the 2011-2020 period and the Government’s action programme in the field for the 2013-2020 period was held in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province on May 20.

The event drew the participation of officials from provincial and municipal party committees, people’s committees, commissions on popularisation and education, as well as departments of information and communications, foreign affairs and culture, sports and tourism of 21 southern provinces and cities.

Participants heard topics on global and regional situations and recent achievements in external affairs of the Party and State; East Sea issues; relations between Vietnam and countries, including ASEAN nations.

They were also provided with reports on international integration and emerging issues of localities and development of external news service programmes and plans in 2014 for localities.

According to the Government’s action programme, from this year, all ministries, departments, provincial and municipal people’s committees and socio-political organisations develop their annual action programmes and plans on foreign affairs.

By 2015, ministries, departments and provincial people’s committees must have officials specialising in external affairs.-VNA