Deputy Prime Minister introduces an overview of Vietnam's foreign policy

On the afternoon of March 30, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh introduced an overview of Vietnam's foreign policy to nearly 2,000 delegates attending the General Discussion Session of IPU-132.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that the goal of Vietnam's foreign policy is "peace, cooperation and development" with the policy of "being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community".

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh introduced an overview of Vietnam's foreign policy at the General Debate of IPU-132. Photo: VGP

Vietnam always attaches importance to peaceful and friendly relations with all countries, especially neighboring and regional countries, and persistently strives with countries in the international community to build a fair and equal world order based on multilateralism, the United Nations Charter and international law.

Vietnam always attaches importance to the role and voice of multilateral institutions and forums on security and development issues in the region and the world; and is an active and responsible member of many important organizations and forums in the region and the world such as the United Nations, ASEAN, the Non-Aligned Movement, APEC, and ASEM.

With that policy, hosting the 132nd IPU Assembly demonstrates Vietnam's desire and responsibility to make substantial and effective contributions to the Union's work.

Along with the process of Renovation and comprehensive international integration, Vietnam has been actively contributing to maintaining international peace and security, promoting development cooperation among nations, thereby affirming itself as an active and responsible member of the international community.

International friends have witnessed Vietnam successfully fulfilling its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term, and is currently actively contributing to the activities of the UN Human Rights Council and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Since 2014, Vietnam has officially participated in UN peacekeeping activities; shared successful experiences in poverty reduction, gender equality, and implementation of the Millennium Development Goals with many international friends from Asia to Africa.

Vietnam's contributions to common efforts to address issues of food security, water security, promoting sustainable development and gender equality have been highly appreciated by the UN and the international community.

In the region, together with ASEAN countries, Vietnam is accelerating the process of building the Community, promoting cooperation between ASEAN and its dialogue partners to build a sustainable regional structure based on common rules and norms, in which ASEAN continues to play a central role. ASEAN is demonstrating that the future of the region can be shaped by cooperation, not competition or confrontation.

Overview of the General Discussion Session on the afternoon of March 30.

In 2015, with the formation of a Community with a population of 600 million people and a GDP of 2,500 billion USD, ASEAN will become an entity with an increasingly important role in the region.

Vietnam pledges to continue working with ASEAN member countries to further strengthen relations with dialogue partners, both within and outside the region, to turn the Asia-Pacific into a region of peace, cooperation and development.

To achieve that goal, the Deputy Prime Minister said that all countries need to strengthen the building of strategic trust and promote cooperation to find long-term, satisfactory solutions to challenges to regional peace and security, especially territorial and sea disputes.

In particular, major countries need to clearly demonstrate their roles and responsibilities, respect the legitimate interests of small and medium-sized countries, and avoid actions that further complicate the regional situation.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed that Vietnam consistently adheres to its principled stance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, opposes the use or threat of force, and advocates resolving disputes, especially those in the East Sea, by peaceful means on the basis of international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and common principles of conduct in the region.

According to Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh: “The views and interests of countries may differ, but what unites us all is the common aspiration to build a world order based on international law” and “Parliament plays a very important role in realizing that goal”.

According to chinhphu.vn