Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh: Intensive external activities bring spillover effect bilaterally and multilaterally

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the opening session of the high-level general debate of the UN General Assembly's 76th session. (Source: VNA)

September was probably a busy month for Viet Nam's diplomatic activities with successful trips by high-ranking officials, including the visit to Cuba and attending the high-level General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly’s 76th session (UN) by State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc; the visit to several European countries and attending the fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP5) by the Chairman of National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue, etc.

How do you evaluate the significance of visits in the current context?

The rush of diplomatic activities in September is meaningful, which demonstrates great determination of the leaders of the Party and State of Viet Nam.

Firstly, we are now on the way of containing the Covid-19 pandemic, aiming to ensure social security and economic development, so it is necessary to expand activities on international integration and cooperation.

With the above two high-level activities, it can be seen that Viet Nam has participated in diplomatic activities in the two largest international and political centers in the world, including the United Nations and Europe.

Through the visits, we not only combined visiting with traditional friends such as Cuba, but also expanded contacts with other partners. At the same time, Viet Nam's leaders carried out a mixture of bilateral and multilateral diplomatic activities.

Second, Viet Nam has a policy of drastic implementation of guidelines of foreign policy approved at the 13th Party Congress, in which Viet Nam advocates independence and self-reliance coupled with diversification, multilateralization and being friendship, a reliable partner; responsible contribution to the activities of the world. The recent diplomatic activities in September have brought to reality that policy.

Third, Viet Nam is orienting a drastic development strategy from now to 2030-2045, bringing the country to a new position. That is the aspiration for development, enhancing integration, contributing to the world agendas such as peace, development, climate change, epidemic prevention, controlling and solving traditional and non-traditional security challenges, which are facing all countries around the world.

Former Deputy Foreign Minister, Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh. (Photo: PH)

Fourth, Viet Nam continues to promote its role, position and responsibility to the world and the region. At the United Nations, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc made important speeches. At the General Assembly, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc shared Viet Nam’s view on global issues.

The rush of diplomatic activities in September gives us the opportunity to look back on the past one and a half year. Viet Nam has tried to maintain the pace of diplomatic activities despite the complicated context of the epidemic. Notably, Viet Nam successfully assumed the role of ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020 and non-permanent member of the Security Council.

Since the beginning of this year, many high-ranking delegations from Japan, Korea, the US, Singapore,... have come to Viet Nam. Viet Nam continues to intertwine its external relations activities both online and in-person. The volume of outgoing and incoming delegations shows that the need for cooperation between Viet Nam and other countries is increasing. Many countries have attached great importance to the relationship with Viet Nam as well as our nation's role and position.

Thus, diplomatic activities in September created a spillover effect on both bilateral and multilateral levels.

How do you evaluate the multilateral diplomacy of Viet Nam?

Looking back into history, it can be seen that multilateral diplomacy is always associated with Vietnam’s general diplomacy. Accordingly, Viet Nam has both strengthened its position and national interests; contributed to solving common issues and pushed integration with the region and the world.

Viet Nam's multilateral diplomacy has developed both in width and depth; multi-layered and multi-dimensional trends. Viet Nam has participated in global international organizations, inter-regional organizations, regional organizations such as ASEAN, ASEAN+ mechanisms, specialized multilateral organizations.

Viet Nam is increasingly contributing more substantively and effectively to multilateral organizations. Typically, at the United Nations, Viet Nam has participated in many important United Nations agencies such as the Security Council, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), Human Rights Council. Viet Nam hosted the APEC Summit in 2019, took the role of ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, joined the UN peacekeeping force…

It can be affirmed that Viet Nam's participation in multilateral diplomacy is to build international cooperation, to join the international agenda and to shape international rules.

The world is facing traditional and non-traditional security challenges that require all nations to work together on issues from climate change, sea level rise to conflict resolution. Multilateral diplomacy has created conditions for Viet Nam to take advantage of better cooperation, combine national power with the power of our times in development and defense of the Fatherland.

At the same time, Viet Nam contributes responsibly to the common work of the world, thereby enhancing its position in the international arena.