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| The Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation attending the 14th National Party Congress. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Ambassador's impressions of the atmosphere at the 14th National Party Congress – a pivotal moment for the country's development, ushering the nation into a new era of growth?
Personally, like all delegates attending the 14th Party Congress, I feel extremely honoured, proud, and excited. It's an honour because we are participating in what can be considered a historic Congress. This is a crucial moment for the nation, and the Congress will elect a new leadership team to guide our country into a new era of development.
This Congress takes place at a time when the country has achieved outstanding accomplishments in all areas: economy, politics, society, security, and defense. The country's position and strength have also changed. The Congress's documents have delved deeply into and thoroughly discussed the major directions and guidelines to propel the country forward rapidly and strongly in the coming period. This is something we are extremely honored and proud of.
The second impression I have, along with other delegates, is a strong belief in the Party's direction. This time, we are not only reflecting on the country's development process and 40 years of renovation but also charting a long-term path. This was also presented in the political report by General Secretary Tô Lâm.
We believe that under the leadership of the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Secretariat of the 14th term, the entire Party, people, and military will successfully implement the tasks and objectives set by the 14th Congress. This is a shared sentiment of mine and all other delegates.
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| Member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung at the discussion session on the Congress documents on the morning of January 21. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
In the spirit of the 14th National Party Congress, foreign affairs will hold the "crucial, regular" task alongside national defense and security to promote the country's development in the new era. How does the Ambassador evaluate this "crucial, regular" task?
Since the country's founding, the Party and State have placed great importance on foreign affairs. In every Party Congress, foreign affairs have been given a highly deserving position. Indeed, over the past 80 years, particularly in recent years, foreign affairs work have significantly contributed to the country's development.
Firstly, if we look back at the early nation-building period, President Ho Chi Minh was the first Minister of Foreign Affairs. At that time, our country faced immense difficulties. Under President Ho Chi Minh's leadership, foreign affairs achieved crucial successes that helped our nation overcome initial challenges. Foreign affairs also played a role in signing important agreements for the country, such as the Geneva Accords in 1954 and the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, as well as in breaking the siege and embargo to propel national development.
Especially during the 40 years of renovation, foreign affairs, alongside all sectors, paved the way for our country's development. In the current phase, particularly at this Congress, the critical task for foreign affairs is to ensure a peaceful and stable environment so the nation can focus on development. In the draft report of the 14th Party Congress, the resolutions, and the political report presented by General Secretary To Lam, foreign affairs and international integration are placed on par with security and defense as "crucial, regular" tasks. We are very impressed with these major policies and decisions of the Party and State.
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| Member of the Party Central Committee Member, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Party Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong discussing "Proactively and actively implementing the crucial, regular task of promoting foreign affairs and international integration to serve the country's strategic goals". (Source: VNA) |
For those working in foreign affairs, the task demands great responsibility and high expectations to excel in the crucial, regular duties assigned by the Party and State leadership.
In my opinion, firstly, the organization of personnel in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must build a team capable of meeting the demands of the new situation.
Secondly, the global and regional context is changing rapidly. Recently, we have witnessed extremely swift and complex developments. Many times we assess the global situation as rapidly evolving and complex, but the reality shows that unpredictability is increasing, with many unforeseeable factors. In this context, foreign affairs must accurately assess the global and regional situation to advise and recommend to the Politburo and the Party Central Committee on directing foreign affairs, ensuring the country's development stays on the right path in a favorable environment. This is a significant challenge.
Thirdly, to achieve rapid development in the near future, especially ensuring double-digit growth targets, foreign affairs must awaken and mobilize external resources, of course, based on internal resources, to serve socio-economic development. General Secretary To Lam emphasized in the political report at the Party Congress that the happiness of the people is the highest requirement. For the people to be prosperous and happy, the economy must develop, and science and technology must lead and innovate. Therefore, the foreign affairs sector's tasks in these rapidly changing and new fields are set at a very high level and hold significant importance.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to the Russian Federation Dang Minh Khoi speaking at the delegation. (Source: VNA) |
Fourthly, the foreign affairs sector needs to maintain good relations with neighbouring countries, major powers, and traditional partners. In foreign affairs, the most crucial factor is building trust and promoting substantive exchanges with partners. Looking at the current global situation, the role of high-level leadership and heads of state is extremely important. As an advisory body for the Party and State, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs needs to focus more on advising and recommending, thereby enhancing relations with all countries.
Fifthly, diplomacy serving development has been emphasized in many Party Congresses, but this Congress highlights further promoting science and technology. The General Secretary emphasized this as a new resource to propel the country forward faster and stronger in the coming period. This shows the Party and State's increased trust in the foreign affairs sector and higher responsibility requirements. Therefore, all foreign affairs personnel, including myself, must strive even harder.
Particularly, significant demands are placed on Ambassadors and Heads of Vietnamese Representative Offices abroad. On the ground, Ambassadors must grasp the situation to advise, recommend, and enhance relations. Another important aspect for the foreign affairs sector is fulfilling the spirit emphasized by General Secretary Tô Lâm, which is ensuring the well-being and happiness of the people. Currently, the overseas Vietnamese community is very large. This is a task for the entire Party and people, but through embassies and foreign affairs agencies, we must perform this task well.
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| Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi at the interview with the World and Vietnam Report on the occasion of the 14th National Party Congress. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Yesterday, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Party Committee, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Party Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong presented a paper on "Proactively and actively implementing the crucial, regular task of promoting foreign affairs and international integration to serve the country's strategic goals". What are the Ambassador's thoughts on this discussion?
Member of the Party Central Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong's speech is a synthesis of the essence from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' speeches along with contributions from all personnel in the sector, who have repeatedly researched, discussed, and contributed to the Party Congress documents. Through practical work and daily tasks, opinions are always focused on exchange and refinement. It can be said that his speech not only reflects the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' aspirations but, more importantly, the entire sector's determination, committing to the Party and State to fulfill the assigned tasks, especially in the current context with crucial, regular duties.
I am confident that after the Congress, the entire foreign affairs sector will swiftly implement the 14th Party Congress Resolution and incorporate it into their practical work, thereby better meeting the expectations and content expressed before the Congress. This is indeed a promise before the Party Congress.
Ambassador, recently, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 59 on international integration. How does the Ambassador assess the significance of this Resolution?
Firstly, Resolution No. 59 is an extremely important resolution, synthesizing all previous Party and State guidelines, policies on foreign affairs, and international integration, while reflecting a new assessment of the current situation and practice. After a long development process, over 40 years of renovation, our country truly holds a different role, position, and international reputation. We have the comprehensive strength of the nation, and many partners and countries wish to enhance cooperation with Vietnam.
Secondly, the Resolution clearly reflects our foreign policy over the past period, under the Party and State's leadership, which has been effectively implemented towards expanding and further strengthening international cooperation. We always consider internal strength as crucial, but at the same time, affirm that international cooperation is essential, thereby harmoniously combining national strength with foreign strength.
From my personal perspective, as an Ambassador working abroad, this has been very evident recently. Countries, partners, and international friends, even on a broader scale, highly appreciate Vietnam's role and position. Currently, many countries wish to leverage Vietnam's participation and contribution, especially as we have adopted very correct policies in the face of a highly complex global situation.
Therefore, I believe this Resolution is timely and accurate, reflecting the Party and State's correct judgment and assessment of the new situation, while proposing appropriate policies and guidelines for the current phase.
Thank you very much, Ambassador!
