(VOVworld) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has met with the press to brief them on major outcomes of foreign relations this year and to share his plan for next year. Minh said that external affairs have been carried out with strategic and comprehensive focus through valuable partnerships with different countries: “Vietnam has defined relation frameworks with neighboring countries and key powerhouses in the world. This reflects Vietnam’s strategic interests and its political, trade, national defense and security views. Trade turnover between Vietnam and 13 strategic partner countries was 148 billion US dollars, or 80% of Vietnam’s total trade value.”
The Deputy Prime Minister highlighted high level visits with major countries, including China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia and India as creating mutual trust to resolve pressing issues in the world.
Keynote speeches by President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at international fora have won applause. Vietnam’s membership at the UN Human Rights Council, chairmanship at the International Atomic Energy Agency and its role at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee have raised Vietnam’s image in the world.
Deputy Prime Minister Minh said that Vietnam will continue pursuing its foreign policy as defined in the 11th National Party Congress in international integration and national defense. Vietnam will promote cooperation with strategic partners and traditional friends, while carrying out economic and cultural diplomatic activities and safeguarding Vietnamese citizens overseas.