The power of cooperation

TIN LIÊN QUAN
	Deputy PM meets the press ahead of Lunar New Year
	Deputy PM hosts diplomatic corps

The meeting was jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ha Noi People’s Committee. It’s a chance to look back on 2017 – a year full of events, and to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) 2018.

Attending the meeting was Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and his spouse; Secretary of the Ha Noi Party Committee Hoang Trung Hai, Chairman of Ha Noi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung, Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam Jorge Rondon Uzcategui, Head of the Diplomatic Corps; heads of Ministries, Central and Ha Noi departments and agencies; Ambassadors, Chargé d’affaires, and heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations in Ha Noi.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh with his spouse and special guests at the ceremony. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh expressed his pleasure on meeting the assembled guests, friends of the people of Vietnam, and people of Ha Noi. On behalf of the Government, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh sent his regards and best wishes to the special guests on the occasion of Vietnam’s Tet holiday.

Talking figures

According to the Deputy PM, in harmony with the active development of the whole Asia-Pacific region, 2017 saw a great deal of new achievements made by Vietnam in both socio-economic development and foreign affairs. These included growth reaching 6.81%, FDI disbursement reaching a record 17.5 billion USD; export turnover reaching over 213 billion USD, bringing Vietnam from 50th to 26th position after 10 years of WTO accession; and in terms of tourism, 13 million foreign visitors came to Vietnam.

All these figures demonstrate the prospects, potential and strong belief in the future of Vietnam’s economy. Crucially, the country has a much more sustainable foundation for growth, a more attractive business environment and improving competitiveness. The fight against corruption has also achieved a number of positive results.

The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted 2017 as one of the most successful years for Vietnamese foreign policy. Together with friends and partners across five continents, Vietnam exchanged 53 high-level delegations. This is a record number, showing both the breadth and depth of Vietnam's external relations.

The friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and its international friends continues to strengthen. This was underlined by APEC Vietnam 2017, which was a complete success, affirming Vietnam’s position in multilateral foreign relations, and contributing to maintaining and revitalising new links and integration in the region.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of ASEAN, Vietnam has also actively contributed to the joint efforts to build a solid and united ASEAN Community, thereby maintaining peace, cooperation and development for the common interests of the international and regional community.

To achieve that success, together with the efforts of Vietnam, we cannot forget about the effective cooperation and precious support of our international friends and partners. Therefore, "the special success of APEC Vietnam 2017 is a common success for all of us," Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh said.

New spirit, new state-of-mind

It can be said that the positive work by Ambassadors, Chargé d’affaires and representatives of foreign agencies and organisations in Vietnam have made great contributions to boosting friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and other nations, as well as regional and international groups.

Deputy Prime MInister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh with his spouse and Ambassadors at the ceremony. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

In order to shape a better future for the region and the world, this kind of support and cooperation is indispensable. It will help Vietnam to further deepen its international relations and to focus more on the missions at hand, such as running for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council 2020-2021, assuming the Chairmanship of ASEAN for 2020, and successfully implementing the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals.

“With what has been achieved last year, we are entering the Year of the Dog with a new spirit and a new state of mind. Our views may be different, but we believe that we all share common interests and responsibilities in building a peaceful, stable and prosperous future," the Deputy PM said.

In that spirit, the Deputy PM emphasised Vietnam's persistence in implementing a consistent foreign policy of independence, sovereignty, peace, cooperation and development, continuing to be active in integration and contributing more and more to addressing regional and global challenges.

Chairman of Ha Noi People’s Committee, Nguyen Duc Chung, shared the Deputy Prime Minister’s sentiments. He quoted some of Ha Noi’s outstanding results in external affairs work and events that served the capital and nation’s socio-economic development program. He said that in order to achieve these results, Ha Noi had to thank the effective support and cooperation offered by diplomatic agencies, international organisations and foreign enterprises.

He also outlined the main goals and directions that Ha Noi will continue to maintain and work towards in 2018 and the coming years, especially in improving the effectiveness of foreign affairs on all three pillars: economy, politics and culture. He affirmed that Ha Noi wishes to continue to receive the sincere and effective cooperation and assistance of international friends.

True satisfaction

On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps, Venezuelan Ambassador Jorge Rondon Uzcategui affirmed that: “In its foreign affairs activities, Vietnam has demonstrated its responsibility to peace, respect for the sovereignty of other peoples as well as solidarity with all members of the international community. The APEC Economic Leaders’ Week was the highlight of the year, showing that Vietnam is a country with strong development and high responsibility.

With Ha Noi, I have to say that the capital of Vietnam, through changes and urban development, is predicted to be a promising city in the future and one of the most attractive capitals in South East Asia.”

Expressing a deep understanding of Vietnamese culture, the ambassador firmly believed that the “Kitchen God” (Tao Quan) will have positive reports about Vietnam in the last Year of the Chicken. He also said that: “With real satisfaction, we have witnessed the continued development of the Diplomatic Corps in recent years. A lot of countries have made their presence in Ha Noi, showing the growing importance of Vietnam in the international arena. Greater diplomatic presence requires a greater dynamic of closer and more practical relations between diplomatic representatives and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and also the Ha Noi leaders, including the diplomatic rules, Vienna Convention provisions and the maximum degree of reciprocity."

As perceived by the Ambassador: "Tet signals the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. Tet is the rebirth of nature, and in a certain way, to renew people”.

Certainly, as we wait for the new Year of the Dog and enter a new spring, the wish that “on the momentum of friendship and cooperation of the past years, international friends will continue to accompany Vietnam on the road ahead” is not only the wish of Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh but of all people.

With the spirit “hand in hand, we have proved that the power of cooperation can make the impossible possible”, shared by the Deputy PM, the road in 2018 will present challenges, but also many opportunities.

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