Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh opens the 19th National Conference on Foreign Affairs opened in Hanoi onAugust 12, 2018.

In his opening address, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said the conference coincides with the Diplomatic Conference to keep abreast with the latest developments in region and the wider world. Mr. Minh added the conference will discuss further coordination to successfully fulfill external works, including greater integration into the world. He said:  “The conference takes place in a mid-term pivotal year for implementing the Resolutions of the 12^th National Party Congress, the policy on extensive international integration, and the Resolutions of the National Assembly and localities on 5-year socio-economic development plan from 2016 to 2020. It’s necessary to carry out 3 strategic breakthroughs, including economic restructuring combined with growth model reform, improving foreign affairs, and international integration.”

Deputy PM Minh praised localities for making progress in foreign affairs: “Local diplomatic sector contribute a large part of our overall achievements. Local diplomacy has been done in a proactive and concentrated manner. We have expanded relations with foreign partners and export markets and promoted trade and investment, contributing to achieving development goals of each locality and the whole country.”