Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quanghas asked newly-accredited ambassadors and heads of Vietnamese representativeoffices overseas to promote economic diplomacy to serve the country’ssustainable development.

Talking to 16 new ambassadors and 8 heads ofVietnamese representative offices overseas after presenting appointmentdecisions to them on August 9, the President told the diplomats that thecountry is at a critical stage in the process of international integration andimplementing the socio-economic development strategy in 2011-2020.  

At the same time, the regional and internationalsituations are experiencing rapid and complex developments.

The global economy is entering a new period withopportunities and challenges. Added to this is the unstable and unpredictablepolitical and security situation in the region and beyond, particularly thefiercer competition among power countries and the emergence of trade war, hesaid.

The State leader required the diplomats to keepclose track of regional and global developments in order to make in-depthanalysis and accurate forecasts along with proposing effective solutions todeepen Vietnam’s external relations with foreign countries, especially with neighbouringones, power nations, and important partners.

The diplomats should proactively coordinate withrelevant ministries and departments in preventing and warning against conflictsand pursuing peaceful settlement of disputes based on international law andregional principles of conduct.

At the same time, the diplomats must always be preparedwith plans to firmly defend the national sovereignty, territorial integrity andinterests while actively canvassing support from international friends,President Quang said.

He urged the diplomats to assist efforts todiversify and expand export markets for Vietnamese products and attract high-qualityforeign investment.

Another task for the ambassadors and heads ofrepresentative offices overseas is to implement the Party and State’sconsistent policy of actively involving in multilateral forums andorganisations, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)along with regional forums and mechanisms, and the United Nations (UN).

The President also stressed the importance of theprotection of Vietnamese nationals overseas, as close to 4.5 million Vietnameseare living abroad and millions of others are studying, working, travelling anddoing business in foreign countries.

On behalf of the newly-accredited ambassadorsand heads of representative offices, Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam – whowas appointed as Ambassador to Japan – pledged to work to build and maintain apeaceful environment and gather resources for the country’s sustainabledevelopment, and to enhance Vietnam’s position in the international arena.

Along with the overseas Vietnamese, thediplomats will serve as a bridge to connect and promote the friendship betweenVietnam and other countries, he added.-VNA