The diplomatic year in review: Forging ties and co-operation

January 28, 2017 | 14:00

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Through the inheritance of successes in the previous years and the implementation of the foreign policy made at the 12th National Party Congress in 2016, Vietnam has reaped many positive and important diplomatic results. These results have contributed to the protection of the country’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and interests.

The results have also contributed to the firm maintenance of peace and stability, and the strengthening of Vietnam’s relationships and co-operation with foreign countries, boosting the country’s international integration, speeding up socio-economic development, enhancing the country’s international position and prestige, and setting the stage for the successful organisation of the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2017.

In addition to solidifying the country’s co-operation with world superpowers, Vietnam’s deep relations with other ASEAN member states and international forums in 2016 continued to deepen.

Following are the key diplomatic activities of Vietnam’s top leaders in 2016:

After the success of the official visit to the US by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in 2015, US President Barack Obama’s official visit to Vietnam in May 2016 has re-affirmed Vietnam’s important position in US foreign policy. In the joint statement released during this visit, both sides agreed to solidify their comprehensive partnership quantitatively and effectively.

Taking place when the Vietnam-France strategic partnership was in its heyday, French President François Hollande’s official visit to Vietnam in September 2016 affirmed the two countries’ strong determination to further sharpen their co-operation in all fields, with economic co-operation considered a high priority.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Bounnhang Vorachith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and Laos’ State President, during the latter’s official visit to Vietnam in April 2016. This was Vorachith’s first visit abroad as Laos’ Party General Secretary and State President during his 2016-2020 tenure.

Myanmar’s President Htin Kyaw had bilateral talks with State President Tran Dai Quang during the former’s official visit to Vietnam in October 2016. Kyaw affirmed that Myanmar encourages Vietnamese firms to invest in his nation.

In 2016, Vietnam and India continued to strengthen their strategic partnership through the official visit to Vietnam by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2016. This was the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Vietnam in 15 years, affirming India’s Look East policy. During this visit, Modi announced a new credit line of $500 million to Vietnam, with a view to bolstering the two countries’ defence co-operation.

In 2016, Vietnam successfully organised its foreign multilateral event – the 7th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS-7), and the 8th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Summit (CLMV-8). Vietnam advanced many solutions to bolster sustainable development for the member states. The event is considered a good preparation for Vietnam to successfully organise the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit 2017.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s official friendship visit to Laos during November 24-26, 2016 was very significant, as it was the first visit abroad by the Vietnamese Party chief after the 12th National Party Congress was organised in January 2016. The visit was aimed to re-affirm Vietnam’s consistent policy in its special relationship with Laos, and focused on further strengthening the special relationship, solidarity, reliability, and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries.

During State President Tran Dai Quang’s official visit to Cuba on November 15-17, 2016 he had bilateral talks with President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro. Both leaders agreed that the two countries will accelerate negotiations towards the signing of a new-generation trade agreement, replacing the previous one signed in 1996, and making it easier for bilateral trade and investment activities.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan had bilateral talks with Speaker of Myanmar’s House of Representatives - the Lower House of the Myanmar Parliament - Win Myint in late September 2016.

Selecting Russia for his first visit abroad after he was elected to be Vietnam’s prime minister, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit during May 16-20, 2016 has contributed to fostering the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership.

In 2016, for the first time in history, Vietnam participated in the Global Summit of Women Speakers of Parliament in December 2016 in the United Arab Emirates. Vietnam’s participation has demonstrated its active policy in international integration, and affirmed the gender equality policy of Vietnam’s Party and state.

In his speech at the closing session of the 24th High-level Week of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Lima of Peru on November 2016, President Tran Dai Quang proposed a theme for the APEC 2017 year: “Creating a new driving force for a common future”, which has been welcomed by all APEC member economies.

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