Vietnam to continue improving external work in 2019
Maintaining a peaceful environment for development; safeguarding independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; speeding up international integration; and attracting resources to serve national development are the main tasks of Vietnam’s foreign affairs in 2019.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the meeting (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Maintaining a peaceful environment for development; safeguardingindependence, sovereignty and territorial integrity; speeding up internationalintegration; and attracting resources to serve national development are the maintasks of Vietnam’s foreign affairs in 2019.
The statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham BinhMinh on March 11 when he co-chaired a joint meeting on the Party, State and NationalAssembly (NA)’s external work in 2018 and orientations for 2019 between theForeign Ministry, the Party Central Committee’s Commission for ExternalRelations and the NA Committee for External Affairs.
Minh stressed the needto increase the efficiency of external activities, develop the country’srelations with partners in a deep, stable and effective manner, well implementthe Secretariat’s Directive No.25 on stepping up and elevating multilateraldiplomacy, and effectively perform citizen protection.
It is also essentialto intensify canvass for a seat of a non-permanent member of the UN SecurityCouncil in the 2020-2021 tenure, make good preparations to assume the ASEANChair in 2020, and push up the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement, he said.
To that end, hesuggested the three offices step up official training, along with closercoordination.
Last year, in thecontext of complicated regional and global developments, under the leadershipof the Party and State and with close coordination between the three offices,external work gained outstanding achievements in all aspects, contributing toraising the country’s position and strength.-VNA
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh had a meeting with press agencies of Vietnam in Hanoi on January 15, expressing appreciation for their contributions to the success of the external work last year.
Vietnam has actively participated in international activities and organized several important multilateral international events in 2018, which were the important achievements of the country last year, according to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
The most important task for external work in 2019 is to intensify established relations and enhance the mutual interests between Vietnam and its key partners, especially neighbouring, regional, and major countries, along with strategic and comprehensive partners.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh has said foreign diplomats and heads of international organisations contributed to Vietnam’s socio-economic development in 2018.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the meeting (Source: VNA) 
