Animated and effective foreign relations in 2013

(Bqp.vn) - Foreign relations activities in 2013 have happened in an animated and effective manner as far as the bilateral and multilateral relations are concerned, making a contribution to raising Vietnam’s role and position and at the same time opening up a lot of opportunities of cooperation for the country.

French President Francois Hollande receives Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng in Elysee Palace in Paris. (Photo:VNA)

The year 2013 has witnessed the rapid increase of the number of Vietnam’s strategic partnership countries such as Italy (January 2013); Indonesia (June 2013); Singapore (September 2013 and France (September 2013).

In the framework of a State visit to Italy on January 20-22, 2013 of General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng, the two sides unanimously agreed to establish the strategic partnership in order to boost the bilateral relations on the basis of the Agreement on the Vietnam-EU Comprehensive Cooperation and Partnership (PCA).

Late June witnessed a new chapter in the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand and Indonesia on the occasion of the official visits by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Thailand on June 25-27, 2013 and by State President Trương Tấn Sang to Indonesia on June 27-28, 2013.

Singapore has become the third strategic partnership of Vietnam in Southeast Asia on the occasion of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s visit to Vietnam on September 11-13, 2013.

The establishment of the strategic partnership with three ASEAN countries of Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore makes a contribution to enhancing the political confidence and shortening the development gap among the regional countries to look forward to building successfully the ASEAN Community by 2015.

The Vietnam-France strategic partnership was established on September 25, 2013 on the occasion of the official visit to France by Prime Minister Nguyễn Tan Dung. This is a very important landmark and of great significance for the bilateral relations, particularly when Vietnam and France is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic establishment. Earlier in White House, President Trương Tan Sang and US president Obama signed the decision on establishing the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the United States on the occasion of President Trương Tan Sang’s official visit to the US on July 24-26, 2013.

During the State visit to Denmark of President Trương Tan Sang, on September 19, 2013, the two sides issued the Joint Statement to unanimously upgrade the bilateral relations to the comprehensive partnership, thus creating the common framework for expanding and consolidating the relations and cooperation in the areas of mutual concern.

So, Vietnam has established its strategic partnership and comprehensive partnership with all the five powers in the UN Security Council. Until this time, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with over 180 countries worldwide with different levels, in which there is the strategic partnership with 13 countries, including Russia in 2001, India in 2007, Japan in 2006, China in 20087, the Republic of Korea and Spain in 2009, Great Britain in 2010, Germany in 2011, Italy, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and France in 2013; the comprehensive partnership with Australia in 2009; New Zealand in 2010; Denmark and the United States in 2013 and strategic partnership in areas with the Netherlands.

It is quite rare that Vietnam’s senior diplomatic activities are as diverse and animated as in 2013. All the top leaders of the Party and State have made their visits to the big powers, the neighboring and regional countries and the traditional friends.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made an official visit to Belgium, the EU, Italy and Britain on January 17-24, 2013; to Thailand on June 25-27, 2013 and to India on November 19-22, 2013.

State President Trương Tan Sang made a State visit to Indonesia on June 27-28, 2013; to China on June 19-21, 2013; to the United States on July 24.26, 2013; to Denmark on September 18-20, 2013 and to Hungary on September 15-17, 2013.

 Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made his visits to Russia on May 13-15, 2013; to Belarus on May 15-17, 2013; to France on September 24-26, 2013 and to Japan on December 13-15, 2013.

Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung made his official visits to the Republif of Korea and Myanmar on July 21-26, 2013; to Russia, Germany and Poland on March 9-17, 2013.

In 2013 Vietnam has welcomed 19 Heads of State and senior leaders of various countries, including Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on January 16-17; Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on September 11-13; President of the Republic of Korea Park Geun-hye on September 7-11; The Sultan of Malaysia Apdul Halim Mu’adzam and Empress on September 5-8; Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang on October 13-15 and Russian President V. Putin on November 12.

The year 2013 has also seen a lot of diplomatic events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic establishment between Vietnam and other countries in the world, such as Australia on February 26; Malaysia on March 30; the Netherlands on April 9; France on April 12; Canada on July 2; Iran on August 2; Britain on September 11; Japan on September 21 and Argentina on October 25.

The diplomatic activities in 2013 have created an echo and deep mark on international arena through the important speeches of the Vietnamese leaders at the international events and multilateral forums. Typically, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng attended and spoke at the 12th Shangri-La Dialogue Forum (also called the Asian Security Summit) held on May 31-June 2 in Singapore. When dealing with the “strategic confidence”, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng believed that it is necessary to abide by international law, raise the high responsibility of the countries, particularly the big powers and raise the efficiency of carrying out the issues relating to cooperation and stability in the region. At UN General Assembly’s session on September 28 in New York, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tan Dung attended and made an important speech entitled “Humanity needs a world free from war, from want and care”. Especially, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng declared that Vietnam is ready to join the UN peace keeping force.

On November 12, Vietnam for the first time became the member of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term with the result of 184 votes over 192 votes, the highest count among the 14 countries. This is the recognition of the international community concerning Vietnam’s great efforts and achievements in its renovation, including the building of the rule-of-law State, the promotion of democracy and the guarantee of the ever better rights of the people.

Vietnam’s diplomatic activities in 2013 have made a contribution to enhancing Vietnam’s prestige in the world and reflecting its diplomatic line of independence, autonomy, self-confidence and proactiveness in handling the world and regional issues.

Trung Kien - Bach Phuong (Source: AFIS)