(VOVworld) – The 19^th meeting of the Standing Committee of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) opened on Thursday in Hanoi.

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, Hoang Binh Quan addresses the opening ceremony (Photo: Manh Hung/dangcongsan.vn)

The event is being hosted for the first time by the Communist Party of Vietnam with the participation of leaders of major Asian political parties, observers, and guests from 26 countries. In his opening address, Hoang Binh Quan, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, said that with an open foreign policy, toward multilateralization and diversification of international relations, Vietnam has incessantly expanded relations with nations around the world. To date, Vietnam has set up diplomatic ties with 180 countries and territories. In regards to bilateral relations, Vietnam is an active and responsible member of major regional and the global forums and organizations in which it has participated. The external relations of the Communist Party of Vietnam have also been expanded. Quan said that the Communist Party of Vietnam considers the strengthening of the relations with others its top priority, especially regarding ICAPP. Quan furthered: "Being a member of the ICAPP Standing Committee, the Communist Party of Vietnam acknowledges its role and responsibility in boosting ICAPP’s common goals. It’s ready to share joint opportunities and challenges to increase mutual understanding, reliability, and cooperation among political parties in the region in the interest of the continent’s peace, stability, and prosperity".

Quan noted that over the past 13 years, Vietnam has always welcomed initiatives to reinforce the closeness of ICAPP activities and mechanisms toward sustainable development.