Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong tasked the country’s diplomatic sector with enhancing the position of Vietnam in the global arena during a national conference in Hanoi on Monday.

The 30th Diplomatic Conference is scheduled to take place in the capital from August 13 to 17, attended by about 500 delegates, including General Secretary Trong, State President Tan Dai Quang, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

The biennial event is aimed at evaluating the international situation over the past two years and proposing new missions for the diplomatic sector in the coming time.

Speaking at the opening session, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh noted that the diplomatic sector had contributed to mobilizing external resources for national growth, protecting national independence and sovereignty, and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development.

Total foreign direct investment reached US$35.88 billion in 2017, up 44.4 percent year on year, setting a record 10-year high, of which $17.5 billion was already disbursed, an increase of 10.8 percent compared to 2016.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh arrive at the gathering. Photo: Tuoi Tre

During his speech, General Secretary Trong praised the sector’s achievements in the past years, especially in 2017.

Seventy-one countries have recognized Vietnam’s market economy so far, Trong said, adding that Vietnam has signed 12 free trade agreements with its partners, with 10 already taking effect.

The Party chief tasked the sector with further enhancing Vietnam’s position in the international arena and consolidating the country’s relationship with other nations and partners.

The sector must continue implementing the Party’s guidelines on foreign policy for the maintenance of peace and stability, creating conditions for national development, while resolutely safeguarding national independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests in line with international law.

It is crucial to stay persistent and judicious in the settlement of complicated external maters, including those related to territory, he underscored.

He also called for better efficiency of external activities, especially in economic matters and security and defense. 

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