Deputy PM underscores protecting national interests

On the morning of June 26, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, head of the Inter-agency Steering Committee for International Integration in the fields of politics - national defence and security chaired a meeting in Hanoi with leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security, and representative from relevant ministries.

In his speech, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh highlighted 2018 as a pivotal year for implementing the 12th National Party Congress’ resolution as well as policies on deep integration and socio-economic development strategy for 2011-2020.

He hailed the great efforts by ministries and sectors in carrying out the external policies of the 12th National Party Congress regarding an overall strategy for international integration by 2020 with a vision to 2030. They have effectively implemented the process of boosting international economic integration and maintaining social and political stability in the context of Vietnam’s participation in new generation free trade agreements (FTAs) along with specific strategies and schemes for each sector.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh also noted that the political, defense and security issues in the recent time have gained important results with the establishment of more strategic and comprehensive cooperation frameworks. Bring in depth relationships with key partners.

Vietnam earned international plaudits for its successful hosting of the APEC 2017, the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF-26), the sixth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit (GMS-6) and the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Summit on Development Triangle Area (CLV-10).

“The active implementation of diplomatic activities regarding external relations, defence and security has contributed to protecting our sovereignty over islands in the East Sea. We have deployed UN peacekeeping operations and put new contents into bilateral cooperation and at multilateral forums and dialogues on water security, cybersecurity and sustainable development.

The Party’s strengthened foreign relations and parliamentary diplomacy have helped to boost our political ties with other nations. These results have contributed to creating a peaceful, stable and favorable environment for national development, protecting sovereignty over sea and islands and raising Vietnam's international profile,” Minh said.

Steering Committee members need to give an in-depth analysis of the rapid changes in the world and regional situation, the situation in the East Sea and take effective measures to safeguard and promote national interests in the new situation, he said.

Minh also urged careful preparations for Vietnam's candidacy for a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, its assumption of tasks of performing its role as ASEAN 2020 host country and shaping the APEC vision for the post 2020 period, active participation in UN peacekeeping operations, and closer cooperation in cross-border crime prevention.

Members of the Steering Committee and other relevant ministries and agencies should continue working hand in hand to effectively fulfill political, security and defence tasks, which will serve as a firm foundation for promoting international integration in other fields, he stressed.