Vietnam Enhancing Competitiveness in Globalisation Era

In 2014, the diplomatic service continued to serve the development and actively support ministries, branches, localities and businesses to look for new opportunities and new markets, and attract foreign investment. From the very positive results in 2013, basically completing the establishment of relationship frameworks with key partners, in 2014 we accelerated the deployment and materialisation of contents to deepen our foreign relations. And, we had very specific results: The EU’s increase of its ODA in the 2014-2020 period to US$400 million, the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) worth US$12 billion with South Korea to develop infrastructure, the elevation of Vietnam - Japan relations to an intensive and extensive strategic partnership. Vietnam also urged the United States to pass the Civil Nuclear Agreement 123 and promoted economic and investment ties with high potential areas like the Middle East (the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, etc). Besides, we mobilised 12 more countries to recognise Vietnam's market status, to bring the total countries recognising this to 56.

 

Another highlight of 2014 is international integration and multilateral foreign affairs deployed strongly and evenly across the fields. Multilateral diplomacy changed from "engagement" to "active, positive contribution and recommendation" and shaped the rules. Vietnam actively contributed to strengthening solidarity and promoting the centrality of ASEAN. For the first time in 20 years, ASEAN announced the Joint Declaration on the East Sea. Vietnam’s initiative to organise the ASEAN EU Summit on the sidelines of ASEM Summit was highly appreciated and brought positive response from both sides. The two sides restarted ASEAN - EU FTA negotiations.

 

Cultural diplomacy, external information and citizen protection were effectively implemented as civil wars, conflicts, natural disasters and catastrophes happened in many areas. The safe evacuation of 1,763 workers from Libya, the protection and support of Vietnamese people in Ukraine, and the safeguarding of rights and interests of fishermen in the East Sea reassured thousands of families, solidified national unity, strengthened public confidence in the regime and policies of the Party and the State.

 

In the past year, we enriched human culture by gaining World Heritage recognition for the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex, the Woodblocks of the Nguyen Dynasty and Nghe Tinh Vi Giam Folk Singing. These results improved the country's image and strengthened the long-term, sustainable growth of these localities.

 

We could not forget to mention the development on the East Sea in 2014, as it posed the greatest challenge to our sovereignty in nearly 30 years. Responding to this tough challenge, we were determined to persevere and fight on multiple channels, multiple levels and multiple measures to safeguard our territorial sovereignty. This result confirmed our diplomatic power when we managed to maintain the environment of peace and stability for development, uphold the comprehensive strategic partnership with China, actively promote dialogues and maintain multifaceted relations to meet the aspirations of the two peoples.

 

We took many proactive measures to carry out the International Integration Policy of the 11th Party Congress and translate the spirit of Resolution 22 of the Politburo on international integration into diplomatic reality. Deployment steps clearly showed the thinking of proactive, comprehensive integration, with the deeper involvement of ministries, branches, localities and businesses.

 

Vietnam’s international economic integration progressed strongly, especially in free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with important partners. We’ve concluded FTA negotiations with South Korea and the Customs Union of Russia - Belarus – Kazakhstan, and agreed with the EU to finish Vietnam - EU FTA negotiations in 2015. These results made Vietnam an important link in the connectivity chain strategy with the region.

 

In the context of rapid and complicated changes, we continued to accelerate extensive and intensive integration to create a peaceful environment, fortify security and defence, and take advantage of favourable conditions for development and improvement of economic competitiveness. Our integration enabled our contributions to the common concerns of maintaining peace and stability, and effectively responding to global challenges. Firm policy messages of senior leaders to peace, development, rule of law and other contents at multilateral forums left a strong impression of Vietnam as a responsible member of the international community. We actively participated in defence cooperation within the ASEAN framework and contributed to the process of building confidence in the region. We established a peacekeeper centre and sent two liaison officers to South Sudan. By joining in regional cooperation, we provided ourselves conditions to show our justice, and requested other countries to adhere to international laws and settle disputes by peaceful means.

 

The process of domestic integration preparation also witnessed very positive progress, demonstrated especially by the directing and coordinating mechanism with the formation of the National Steering Committee for International Integration chaired by the Prime Minister. From central to local levels, there is a broad consensus on implementing integration, competitiveness enhancement and multilateral foreign policies.

 

2015 is a very important year, as it is the final year of implementing tasks set by the 11th Party Congress and preparing for those assigned by the 12th Congress. We also have many major commemorative celebrations like the 85th founding anniversary of the Party, the 70th founding anniversary of Vietnam, and the 40th anniversary of Southern liberation and Vietnam reunification.

 

Meanwhile, world and regional situations will continue complicated developments. Elements of uncertainty have no signs of decline and continue to be very difficult to anticipate. Non-traditional security threats are an increasingly global challenge that requires the international community to strengthen coordination and prevention efforts. World economic forecasts for 2015 may be more optimistic, but there is no guarantee of a steady recovery as the largest economies are still facing difficulty. Oil price wars, protectionism and discrimination in trade and commercial disputes remain tense.

 

Thus, we have opportunities but we also face a lot of challenges. Opportunities and challenges seem to be interwoven in the context that the world and the region are being rearranged. It is important that we have placed Vietnam in the political, security and economic structure that is taking shape in the region. We need to stand clearly aware of opportunities and challenges to apply solutions turning opportunities into reality, while minimising and resolving challenges.

 

With the strength and wisdom of more than 90 million Vietnamese people sharing the consensus with foreign policies of the Party and the State, we can be totally optimistic and confident in the successful completion of tasks assigned by the 11th Party Congress and the consolidation of the foundation for the fulfilment of tasks of the 12th Congress in a more widely and deeply integrating world.