Int’l economic integration a bright spot in Vietnam’s external affairs: Deputy FM

International economic integration was a bright spot in Vietnam’s external affairs activities in 2020, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has said.

Int’l economic integration a bright spot in Vietnam’s external affairs: Deputy FM hinh anh 1Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) - International economic integration was a bright spot in Vietnam’s external affairs activities in 2020, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has said.

Son told the media that the global economy and international economic links are developing in a complex fashion and are accompanied by multiple risks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a range of new challenges, he added, but also deepened the trend towards establishing links and sped up other new trends, leading to changes in economic and commercial management globally and spurring rapid digitalisation.

Vietnam’s activeness in international economic links has made it easier for the country to diversify its markets and partners, attract resources for development, and complete the target of rapid, sustainable recovery from the pandemic.

Notably, the Chairmanship of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in 2020 as well as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during the 2020-2021 period have helped Vietnam raise its voice within multilateral frameworks.

Int’l economic integration a bright spot in Vietnam’s external affairs: Deputy FM hinh anh 2At the signing ceremony of the minutes of the conclusion of negotiations for UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (Photo: VNA)

However, unexpected changes to the global and regional economy have dampened efforts in realising the dual goals of fighting COVID-19 and promoting socio-economic development, international economic integration and economic ties between Vietnam and a number of partners, Son pointed out.

Vietnam overcame various challenges and difficulties to post significant achievements in development and foreign affairs during 2020.

International economic integration has made marked strides forward and become a bright spot in the country’s external affairs, with Vietnam becoming one of the countries taking the lead regionally in promoting and joining international economic links and bringing into full play external resources to serve national development.

As ASEAN Chair in 2020, it closely and effectively coordinated with other ASEAN members and partners to sign the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) at the 37th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi.

With this success, ASEAN’s centrality and Vietnam’s ASEAN Chairmanship in particular were both bolstered, he emphasised.

Vietnam has worked to promote major initiatives on COVID-19 response within the ten-member bloc, which has been acknowledged by the international community, Son went on.

It has set up a network of 17 free trade agreements (FTAs) and frameworks for economic and commercial cooperation with the world’s leading economic centres.

Int’l economic integration a bright spot in Vietnam’s external affairs: Deputy FM hinh anh 3The signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (Photo: VNA)

This has created momentum for Vietnam to reach its growth targets and conduct further comprehensive reform, thus moving ahead even further.

With its significant achievements and enhanced position and prestige in the international arena, Vietnam will join international economic links with a new profile, Son noted.

According to the Deputy Minister, Vietnam will give top priority to the implementation of commitments in FTAs and other economic cooperation mechanisms to which it is a signatory.

It will continue to perfect and expand its network of economic links and integration, both bilaterally and multilaterally, becoming a centre of economic integration at the global level, he stressed.  

This is in line with the country’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, and the diversification and multilateralisation of Party and State relations.

In the new strategic period, under the leadership of the Party and the State, the diplomatic sector will continue its pioneering role in creating a peaceful and optimal environment, helping to elevate the country’s profile.

Economic diplomacy will remain a crucial task for the country, he affirmed, adding that the foreign ministry and Vietnamese representative offices abroad will optimise resources as well as the country’s role and position to contribute to completing the development policies, guidelines, and targets from now to 2045 to be put forth by the upcoming 13th National Party Congress, he said./.

VNA

Other News

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

National Assembly Chairman urges renovation in leadership, working style

The NA's Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs has moved fast to reshuffle its organisation after the 14th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 16th NA, updating its work agenda to match new directives set out in the resolutions of the 14th National Party Congress and the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025–2030 term.

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam treasures ties with Croatia: PM

Vietnam and Croatia should strive to double bilateral trade turnover from the current level of 161 million USD; study the establishment of a Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to create a long-term, stable, and effective framework for collaboration, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung.

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

President Ho Chi Minh's enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

Vietnam asks parties to respect its sovereignty over Truong Sa

PSNews - The spokesperson stated that the dispatch of personnel by relevant parties to features belonging to Truong Sa without Vietnam’s permission constitutes a violation of Vietnam’s sovereignty under international law. She stressed that such actions run counter to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as ongoing efforts by countries to negotiate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

Hanoi to host ASEAN Future Forum 2026 in mid-June

PSNews - Vietnam’s proposals placed the highest priority on ensuring a peaceful and stable environment conducive for continued sustainable development and improving the well-being and happiness of the ASEAN people. They were praised by member states and incorporated into the core contents of the ASEAN Leaders’ Statement on the response to the Middle East crisis.

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam promotes cooperation with United Nations on crime prevention

Vietnam highly values the support of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in strengthening national capacity in crime prevention and criminal justice, drug control, and addressing emerging challenges, particularly cybercrime, said Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang.

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Party, State leader calls for consolidation of central steering committees on legal, judicial reform

Consolidating the central steering committees for institutional and legal reform and for judicial reform is necessary in order to streamline organisational structures without reducing responsibilities, while ensuring clear accountability, measurable outputs and concrete results. Following the restructuring, the body will be renamed the central steering committee for institutional improvement and law enforcement, with the Party General Secretary and State President serving as its head.

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

Vietnam strives for substantive outcome at NPT review conference

At the meeting this week, Ambassador Viet briefed the UNGA President on developments during the first two weeks of the conference. He stressed that the current international geopolitical landscape poses numerous complex challenges, while reaffirming Vietnam’s determination, together with other member states, to promote substantive and balanced outcomes at the conference.

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

Top leader of Vietnam receives Vientiane official in Hanoi

The host leader stressed that cooperation between localities, particularly between the capitals of Hanoi and Vientiane, plays an especially important role as a pioneering force in effectively implementing the foreign polices of the two Parties and States, while also serving as a bridge between politics and development, as well as between strategy and concrete action.