(VOVworld) – The 17^th National Conference on External Relations opened in Hanoi on Sunday with the aim of enhancing the role of localities in boosting international integration. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh praised the contributions of local external relations departments nationwide to Vietnam’s achievements in the context of economic restructuring, sustainable development and international integration. He said: “Local external relations departments have been consolidated and have become a driving force in implementing policies to strengthen economic, trade, investment cooperation and increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges with other countries in the region and the world.”

The conference drew more than 350 delegates representing all provinces and cities, ministries and heads of Vietnamese representative offices abroad.