Hanoi (VNA)– Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh affirmedat the 30th Diplomatic Conference which opened in Hanoi on August 13that the diplomatic sector has completed the major tasks set by the 12th National Party Congress.

Opening theconference, the head of the diplomatic sector noted that the diplomatic sectorhas contributed to mobilising external resources for national growth,protecting national independence, sovereignty, territory and maintainingpeaceful and stable environment for development, as assigned by the leader ofthe Communist Party of Vietnam at the previous Diplomatic Conference.

Addressing theconference, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong also shared the praise forthe diplomatic sector, noting that in the past three years, especially in 2017,the sector recorded various important achievements and became a bright spot inthe country’s success.

Particularly, thesector has made important contribution to boosting the country’s economicgrowth, he said, underlining the fact that since 2016, the country has seen ahigher economic growth than the average in the 2011-2015 period, while all macro-economicindications have been positive, especially foreign investment and import-exportrevenue.

Total foreign direct investmentin 2017 reached 35.88 billion USD, up 44.4 percent year on year, setting arecord high in 10 years, of which 17.5 billion USD was disbursed, a rise of10.8 percent over 2016.

At the same time, donorsalso committed over 3 billion USD in official development assistance forVietnam to 2020.

The number of foreigntourists to Vietnam hit a record 13 million.

So far, 71 countrieshave recognised Vietnam’s market economy. Vietnam has signed 12 free tradeagreements with partners, with 10 already taking effect, said the Party chief.

He stressed thatdiplomatic activities have played an important role in enhancing the positionof Vietnam in the world arena, and deepening and consolidating the relationsbetween Vietnam and other countries, especially prioritised and importantpartners.

To date, Vietnam hasset up strategic partnership with 16 countries, comprehensive partnership with11 countries and special strategic partnership with Laos and Cambodia, while acceleratinginternational integration in all fields, and promoting its active role atregional and global institutions.

The attainments have provedthat the foreign policy set by the 12th Party National Congress andthe Party’s relevant policies related to foreign affairs are correct, he said.

“Vietnam alwayspursues the consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace,cooperation and development, multilateralising and diversifying relationship,and actively and proactively integrating into the world for national benefits,”he stated.

The Party chiefhighlighted that issues of core interest require Vietnam to raise a strongervoice and take a more active stance, first of all in the region.

He asked the sector tocontinue implementing the Party’s guidelines on foreign policy for the overallgoal of maintaining a peaceful and stable environment favourable for the causeof national construction and defence, while resolutely and persistentlysafeguarding national independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests inline with international law.

It is crucial to staypersistent and judicious in the settlement of complicated external maters,including those related to sovereignty and territory, he underscored.

The Party GeneralSecretary also requested the sector to enhance the efficiency of externalactivities, especially in economic and security-defence cooperation with othercountries.

The diplomatic conference, which was initiated in 1957, convenes everytwo years to provide a venue for the diplomatic sector to reach consensus onawareness, resolve and action to effectively implement the Party and State’sforeign policy.

 The 30th edition is expected todiscuss measures to maintain the effective implementation of the 12th NationalParty Congress’s resolution, which emphasised the tasks of protecting nationalindependence, sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity, maintainingpeace and stability to serve national development, expanding diplomaticrelations, effectively implementing international integration and continuing toraise the country’s position and prestige in the international arena. -VNA