Hanoi (VNA) – The pioneering role of thediplomatic sector will be carried forward in building and maintaining anenvironment of peace and stability, mobilising external resources to serve the national development and raising the country’s position and reputation in theinternational arena, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has said.

This is one of the economic diplomacy focuses setfor 2023 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to contribute to achieving the socio-economic targets, the official said in an interview granted tothe press on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.

The ministry will continue consistently pursuing theforeign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation anddiversification of relations, and active international integration, while maximisingthe country’s new position and potential, he added.

Diplomatic activities of Party, State, Government, and National Assembly leaders will be stepped up, with the top priorities givento promoting economic cooperation in an effective and pragmatic fashion,according to the minister.

The ministry will also work to diversify exportmarkets, products and supply chains; attract high-quality investment andresources in service of green transition and sustainable development; andremove bottlenecks in the economic ties between Vietnam and its key partners.

Son also spoke of the utilisation of the 15 freetrade agreements to which Vietnam is a member, and the enhancement of analysingand forecasting capacity to support the Government’s socio-economic management,saying the ministry will propose the Government establish working groups on specific,urgent matters.  

Reviewing economic diplomacy in 2022, Son said theministry coordinated with other ministries, agencies and localities to concretiserelevant guidelines set at the 13th National Party Congress andproposed the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat issue Directive No. 15-CT/TWon economic diplomacy.

The sector played a role in deepening relations withcountries, especially in economy, trade and investment, he said, stressing thateconomic cooperation was put at the centre of diplomatic activities at all levels,which reaped pragmatic results with 150 documents signed.

It also contributed to accelerating internationaleconomic integration and optimising external resources for national development,particularly green financing, energy transition and high technology.

With the aim of taking people, localities and businessesat the centre, the ministry organised 70 connection activities between localitiesand partners, and helped with the signing of more than 40 internationalcooperation documents.

Regarding the ministry’s general operations lastyear, Son said given the rapid, complicated and unprecedented changes in theglobal situation, the ministry strengthened its forecasting and consultingcapacity, as well as its flexibility, activeness and resilience in the newsituation.

There were some 70 diplomatic activities by keyleaders in the year, of which 34 were in-person, with 19 foreign delegationswelcomed in Vietnam, according to the official.

Amid the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the ministry coordinatedwith relevant agencies to ensure national interests and protect affectedVietnamese citizens, while contributing to international efforts in assisting civiliansin conflict-hit areas, Son said./.