External relations of Vietnam in the year of 2001
The following is Foreign Minister NGUYEN DY NIEN's speech on the world situation and external relations of Vietnam in 2001.
The year 2001 has elapsed with boisterous and complicated developments. The picture of the world in the first years of the new century depicts three salient features. They include the outbreak of wars and international terrorism; security and stability in some regions and nations being affected; the global economic growth going downhill. These are inter-related issues and exerting influence on follow-up world developments, impacting on external relations of all nations.
Nations' adjustments of their policies following the September 11th event and the war in Afghanistan are creating widespread effect on international, bilateral and multilateral relations. Politics and security in some regions have become unstable; the peace process become harder in regions such as the Middle East and South Asia. The ethnic and religious issues which still run high in places like the Balkans, South Asia and some Southeast Asian nations, are causing instability and social unrest such as violence, and change of administration.
Gathering force is taking place on the global scale at different levels. Developing countries and other progressive forces are intensifying efforts for peace, national independence, democracy, livelihood, social equality and progress while opposing war and any form of oppression and intervention, striving for equality in international co-operation. Fighting international terrorism has become a prime concern of all nations.
The global economy began to show signs of downturn late last year, which was adversely affected by the September 11th event and the war in Afghanistan. However has not yet reached the point of world economic recession or crisis. The trend for economic globalisation is becoming more obvious but the movement to resist the negative effect of globalisation has expanded and better organised. Several regional organisations continued to grow, assisting nations in the process of globalisation and addressing backlash from globalisation.
Against the background of such complicated developments, external relations of Vietnam's Party and State have been carried out with a focus and priorities to properly address all issues related to the country which have resulted in encouraging outcomes in the spirit of the resolution adopted at the 9th National Party Congress. The outcome in the field of foreign relations consists in the continued preservation of a peaceful environment and creation of favourable international conditions for accelerated socio-economic development, construction and defence of the homeland. Vietnam consistently implements the foreign policy of independence, sovereignty, openness, multi-laterialisation and diversification of international relations. Vietnam is prepared to be a friend and reliable partner of all countries in the international community. Political stability and ensured security in Vietnam have been lauded by the world public. Vietnam's respect for and efforts to sustain its co-operative ties with other countries h
as yielded dividends.
Based on the outcomes of the previous year's foreign relations, Vietnam continues to foster friendship and co-operation with neighbouring countries and traditional partners on all continents. The country is expanding relations with ASEAN, countries in East and South Asia and South Pacific, and spreading these ties to other regions in Africa and Latin America. Vietnam's ties with Russia, India and the US have been accelerated. The activities of Vietnamese Party and State leaders have played a significant role in foreign relations. Apart from this, people's diplomacy has been broadened in various fields.
Priorities are being given to diplomatic activities to support economic development. This has helped win further official development assistance (ODA) and foreign direct investment (FDI), support enterprises and seek further outlets and partners, as well as remove difficulties and obstacles. The approval and implementation of the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement constitute an important change in bilateral economic relations.
Vietnam's role and position in multilateral forums have been strengthened. The country's presidency of the ASEAN Standing Committee (ASC) and the Regional Forum (ARF), its successful organisation and hosting of several major conferences in Hanoi assert important steps forward in its multilateral diplomacy and international and regional integration, realising its view of being a friend and reliable partner of all countries.
The global and regional situation will continue to face complicated developments. In this context, Vietnam is exposed to both opportunities and challenges. Foreign relations must make full use of successes won in the previous year to make further contributions to socio-economic development and national defence as cited in the 9th National Party Congress Resolution.
In this spirit, the 23rd Conference of Vietnam's Diplomatic Sector was convened in Hanoi early last month to identify the central task for foreign relations in the New Year of 2002. The sector aims to making breakthroughs in foreign relations for the sake of economic development. It is crucial to establish a legal framework and a mechanism for legal co-operation, enhancing information dissemination for more effective foreign relations, which are geared for economic development.
For a lasting and stable environment for peace and stability while raising its international profile, and enhancing global integration, it is important for Vietnam to strengthen relations with all partners, improve the efficiency of co-operative relations, combining bilateral and multilateral relations.
The foreign relations sector deems its urgent task in the new stage of development to develop human resources for a contingent of staff who are highly qualified politically, professionally and have a high proficiency in foreign languages.
The complicated world environment and situation are posing obstacles to foreign relations. However, advantages must be identified and fully tapped. The sector must make full use of its inner strength to accomplish all tasks entrusted by the Party, State and people.
