Overcoming Challenges - Advancing to Integration

It is safe to say that 2012 is a successful year for Vietnamese diplomacy, with large-scale and efficient diplomatic activities of Vietnamese Party and State leaders. By the end of December 2012, 17 high-level delegations of the Party, State and Government had visited other countries and attended international conferences, while 33 high-level foreign delegations visited Vietnam, increasing by five times over the number of visits in 2011.

 

In the year of Vietnam-Laos Friendship, the two countries have exchanged five high-level delegations headed by Party General Secretary, President, Prime Minister and Chairman of National Assembly. In the year of the 45^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia, the two countries have exchanged seven high-level delegations. Multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and ASEAN has been increased. High-level and important visits have been exchanged with Singapore, Brunei, Myanmar, Thailand and Indonesia.

 

In the framework of all-round strategic cooperation and partnership between Vietnam and China, the two countries implemented high-level agreements attained during the visit to China by General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (October 2011) and the visit to Vietnam by Vice-Chairman Xi Jinping (December 2011). The two countries have also exchanged several important visits by Politburo members and heads of various ministries and agencies. In particular, at their meetings, the leaders of the two countries discussed measures to promote all-round strategic cooperation and partnership and measures to settle existing problems, including the East Sea, preventing harmful effects to the relations between the two parties and countries, thus contributing to peace and stability in the region.

 

Relations with key strategic and major partners have been promoted in depth and scale. Vietnam has increased reliability in relations with Japan and Republic of Korea by exchanging more high-level delegations on the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan and 20^th anniversary with the Republic of Korea. Economic-trade and national defence-security cooperation has been upgraded with India. Vietnam-US cooperation continued, especially in economic-trade, investment, science-technology and humanitarian activities for victims of agent orange/dioxin.

 

Vietnam also promoted relations with traditional friends in Asia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, with working visits of high-level delegations. Vietnam-Latin America Trade and Investment Forum was organized for the first time on July 5-6, 2012, opening a new chapter of cooperation between Vietnam and Latin American countries with 13 delegations headed by Presidents, Prime Ministers or Ministers to visit Vietnam.

 

The relations have not only increased in number of visits and activities, but also in upgrading the framework of cooperation with partners of high priority and importance. During the official visit of President Truong Tan Sang to Russia in July 2012, Vietnam and Russia upgraded the relations to “all-round strategic partnership”. Vietnam has agreed to establish a strategic partnership with Singapore in 2013, reached agreement with Thailand on the orientation for strategic partnership, and exchanged views with others to reach strategic partnership. Vietnam-EU relations have improved in quality, with the signing of all-round Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) on June 27.

 

In tandem with bilateral relations, Vietnam's multilateral diplomacy has developed with important steps from integration to participation and contribution with initiatives at multilateral and international meetings in the interests of peace, stability and development. In the ASEAN framework, Vietnam has made great efforts to develop the ASEAN community, promote ASEAN unity on fundamental elements of the Code of Conduct (COC) of the parties on the East Sea, and contribute to the ASEAN Declaration on Human Rights. In particular, for the first time, Vietnam assumes the post of ASEAN Secretary General for 2013-2017. At APEC-20 and ASEM-9, Vietnamese proposals and initiatives have been highly appreciated and included in the final documents of the conferences. At the United Nations, Vietnam will seek seats in important bodies such as the Human Rights Council in 2014-2016, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2016-2018 and Security Council in 2020-2021. After acting as coordinator of ASEAN-China relations, Vietnam has now shifted to the role of coordinator of ASEAN-EU relations for 2012-2015.

 

Economic diplomacy has always been an important pillar of comprehensive diplomatic strategy, promoting economic cooperation by the exchange of high-level visits between Vietnam and other countries. Economic contents have always played an important part in high-level discussions. The promotion of investment and trade has always been an important task of economic diplomacy with business forums organised in Vietnam and foreign countries. For instance, the first Vietnam-Latin America Trade and Investment Forum was organized successfully in 2012. Consequently, 13 high-level delegations from Latin America visited Vietnam, with opportunities discussed and agreements signed. In the present conditions of the world economy, economic diplomacy has advised Vietnamese leaders on experiences of other countries in macro-economy and promoted international economic integration. In spite of difficulties in major economies, Vietnam's trade value with major partners continues to increase, especially in FDI and ODA. The total export value of Vietnam in 2012 was US$114.6 billion, up by 18.3 percent; while import value was US$114.3, up by 7.1 percent, recording an export surplus for the first time since 1993. In 2012, Vietnam attracted US$7.4 billion in ODA, US$10 billion in FDI in the first 11 months, or 99.5 percent of the same period of 2011. In 2012, Vietnam participated in five rounds of negotiation on the Trans-Pacific Economic Partnership (TPP), started negotiating on FTA with the EU, South Korea, Tariff Alliance with Russia-Belarus-Kazakstan and the European Free Trade Area (EFTA), and, together with ASEAN+6, negotiated on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The recognition of Vietnam as a market economy has been improved with the consent of 38 countries including such developed countries as Japan, Italy and four EFTA countries.

 

In the eventful year of 2012, Vietnam has successfully managed both opportunities and challenges, contributing to economic development and national security and heightening her position in the international arena.

 

In 2013, both opportunities and challenges will continue for Vietnamese diplomacy in world affairs, with challenges growing. Vietnam will focus on the following:

One, accelerate international integration as set forth by XI Party Congress; improve relations with neighbouring countries, regional countries and partners of high priority, and upgrade relations with certain countries; strengthen ASEAN unity and build the ASEAN Community by 2015; and participate more actively and efficiently in multilateral, regional and international forums.

 

Two, combine diplomatic activities closely with national defence and security, coordinate with ministries and localities on public education, border security and territorial integrity.

 

Three, accelerate economic diplomacy in line with national orientation, macro-economic development, economic transformation and three economic strategies; implement the Plan of Action of Cultural Diplomacy to 2020; attain UNESCO recognition of Vietnamese tangible and intangible cultural heritages; increase cultural contents in diplomatic activities; improve policies regarding overseas Vietnamese and protect Vietnamese citizens more efficiently, rejecting any attempt to misuse human rights, freedom of religion and the press against national interests; and continue dialogue with mutual understanding and interests.

 

In addition, Vietnam will upgrade the professionalism and expertise of the diplomatic staff to regional and international standards; keep a close watch on regional and international developments relating to national security and development; and improve research work and strategic forecasts for Party and State leaders.

 

2013 is a banner year of the 5-year socio-economic development plan (2011-2015) and mid-term of Party Congress. The achievements recorded in 2012 will encourage Vietnam to accelerate diplomatic policy of the XI Party Congress, especially pro-active international integration. I believe that with determination and close coordination of the whole system, Vietnam will record more important achievements in foreign relations meeting the expectations of the Party, State and people.