(Illustrative photo: VNA)

Assessing orientations for Vietnam’s foreign policy and areas of cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU), EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier said over the past five years, Vietnam has demonstrated strong capacity in modernizing governance while maintaining an impressive development trajectory.

He said Vietnam has achieved a rapid growth while reforming toward making the growth more resilient, innovative, and attractive to long-term investment. Ambassador Guerrier affirmed that Vietnam’s economic growth of over 8 percent last year “is a powerful signal of dynamism and confidence, and shows that Vietnam continues to be one of the most vibrant economic success stories in the region.”

Focusing on sustainable development priorities outlined in the draft documents of the 14th Party Congress, Pauline Tamesis, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, emphasized that Vietnam has made extraordinary progress, from poverty reduction to maintaining strong economic growth and advancing human development, with its Human Development Index (HDI) ranking among countries with high human development.

She stressed that what truly inspires Vietnam’s development story is not only the figures, but also the determination to ensure that growth translates into better lives for all people, through a people-centered approach to sustainable development, reduced inequality, and strengthened institutions.

Jonathan Wallace Baker, Head Representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Vietnam, observed that in the draft documents of Vietnam’s 14th Party Congress, culture and heritage are increasingly viewed as integral components of Vietnam’s comprehensive approach to foreign relations and international integration. From UNESCO’s perspective, cultural values and heritage can play a vital role in enhancing international cooperation and elevating a nation’s global standing, and Vietnam, he said, is making effective use of these strengths.