VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem said that one of the six key tasks in foreign affairs in 2011 is seeking solutions to definitively solve border issues with neighbors.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem

According to Mr. Khiem, 2011 is an important year for Vietnam because it will be the first year to implement the resolution of the 11^th Party Congress, the amended political program to build the country in the transitional period to socialism and the ten year social-economic development strategy (2011-2020) and the five-year development plan (2011-2015).

He said that to successfully carry out the mission of maintaining peaceful and stable environment and creating favorable international conditions for the country’s sustainable development, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will implement active, strong and comprehensive foreign relations in six directions as follows:

Firstly, Vietnam will continue to integrate into the world community in an active, stronger and more comprehensive manner, bring into full play its status as a positive and responsible member at regional and international forums in order to raise Vietnam’s position to a new height.

Secondly, Vietnam will take initiative in implementing and perfecting its ties with partners, especially with key partners.

Thirdly, Vietnam will continue to research and seek solutions to put an end to existing issues related to borders with neighboring countries, based on the principles of defending the national sovereignty and territorial integrity, maintaining stable relations with related countries, contributing to strengthen the peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world.

Fourthly, Vietnam will further mobilize and take advantage of outside resources to serve its new growth strategy, for the country’s sustainable development. Vietnam will quickly design its comprehensive strategy on international economic integration in the new situation, with specific roadmaps for the participation in free trade areas (FTA).

Fifthly, Vietnam will implement the cultural diplomatic strategy until 2020, which will be closely combined with political and economic diplomacy. The Foreign Ministry will bring into full play its achievements in overseas Vietnamese affairs and defending Vietnamese citizens, complete policies for overseas Vietnamese, assist overseas Vietnamese to integrate into the local communities and maintain traditional identity.

Sixthly, the Foreign Ministry will raise the effectiveness of foreign relations conducted by the Party, the State, the National Assembly, local governments and people-to-people diplomacy.

Reviewing 2010, Mr. Khiem said that the successful assumption of the ASEAN presidency was considered the most outstanding achievement of Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy as well as foreign affairs in 2010. The country left its mark by valuable contributions and initiatives in a wide range of issues of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Vietnam helped improve the quality of building of the ASEAN Community, put forth initiatives on ASEAN connectivity, reached consensus on the necessity to maintain regional peace and stability, and urged concerned parties to implement the ASEAN-China Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and build a Code of the Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Vietnam also contributed greatly to strengthening ASEAN’s central role in shaping regional architectures and stepping up cooperative relations in all spheres between the bloc and its important partners.

In dealing with complicated matters in the region, Vietnam demonstrated its role as a responsible and proactive Chair, which spared no efforts to enhance the group’s position in the international arena, Khiem stressed.

PV