(VOV) - Vietnam has developed friendly and cooperative relations with many countries and it’s diplomats who must deepen these close bonds. State President Truong Tan Sang gave the task to newly accredited ambassadors and consuls general on Wednesday before they leave to assume duties overseas. Alongside realizing Party guidelines and State policies on foreign relations, Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad need to take advantage of the local administrations’ support to fulfill their duties, he said. The President asked them to help Vietnam expand outlets and attract more foreign investment, while gathering international support for consolidating an environment of peace and development: “Vietnam must deepen its international integration because economic integration is the key to the nation’s economic restructuring and is a vital part of the strategy for 2011-2020 as set out by the 11^th National Party Congress. Vietnam should expand its export markets and attract more foreign investment. We proactively integrate into the world in political, security, defense, cultural and social spheres. But we must also ensure national security and preserve the nation’s cultural identity”.

18 ambassadors and 2 consuls general have been accredited to work in countries on five different continents.