Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA)

Mr. Son said Vietnam promptly, proactively, creatively, and resolutely implemented key tasks to contribute to ensuring national security and enhancing its development and international status.

He said Vietnam has strengthened relations with major and neighboring countries, partners and traditional friends. Vietnam implemented several important, strategic external relations activities which included Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s official visit to China. Vietnam upgraded its ties with the Republic of Korea to comprehensive strategic partnership and established diplomatic relations with the Cook Islands.

Vietnam has performed well its role as a responsible member of the international community. It was elected Vice President of the 77th United Nations General Assembly as a representative of Asia Pacific. It was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term and to the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee of the 2003 Convention for the Protection of the Intangible Cultural Heritage for the 2022-2026 term.

For the key directions of Vietnam's diplomacy in 2023, Minister Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam aimed to promote modern, comprehensive diplomacy by enhancing coordination of external relations activities between the Party, State, and National Assembly and the people's diplomacy.

Minister Son said the diplomatic sector will strengthen diplomacy to facilitate development, enhance relations with neighboring and major countries, strategic and comprehensive partners, and traditional friends, increase political trust, promote a multilateral foreign policy, and proactively integrate into the world. The diplomatic sector also aims to raise Vietnam's role in building and shaping multilateral institutions, actively participate in ASEAN, the Mekong sub-region, and the United Nations, and respond proactively, flexibly and effectively with initiatives to strengthen regional links while ensuring national interests and security.