Hanoi (VNA) ♑– An external policy of peace, self-reliance, multilateralising and diversifying ties has allowed Vietnam to maintain peace and expand equal and win-win cooperation with big countries globally to serve its nation building and defence.

Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi held that in the current situation, it is crucial to prioritise the national interests when dealing with relations with big countries in specific fields. The diplomat asserted that all world powers share a wish to maintain a relatively peaceful relationship framework, which is also the desire of Vietnam and regional countries in order to achieve a peaceful and stable environment. He noted that since the ASEAN Community’s debut at the end of last year, Vietnam ’s status has increased in relations with powers as well as in international organisations. Meanwhile, Ambassador to Russia Nguyen Thanh Son said that Vietnam is facing many challenges as well as great opportunities. “It is our challenge to ensure independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity in the East Sea, and preserve the country’s friendship with China and enhance ties with the US at the same time,” Son said. Ambassador Son declared that Vietnam’s external policies are on a right track, as the country has managed to maintain peace in the East Sea and creating sound relations for economic development, while joining a number of world-scale economic organisations and alliances and making deeper moves into Europe. Vietnam has also enjoyed good relationship with both the European Union and Russia, he noted, stressing that this has showed the success of Vietnam’s external policies. The country has signed a free trade agreement with the Asia-Europe Economic Union, as well as the signing of a similar deal with the EU in the future, has enhanced Vietnam ’s position in the eyes of major countries in Europe , he declared. At the same time, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh noted that India’s “Act East” policy as well as its efforts to strengthen relationship with ASEAN and Southeast Asian countries, especially Vietnam, is a good chance for Vietnam to lift up ties with the country. Sound political relations with India are a good condition for Vietnam to strengthen economic cooperation with the huge market with abundant potentials in investment and tourism while resisting pressure from other world powers. On the impacts of external relationship in development, the ambassador said Vietnam has set up a wide network of representative offices to provide consultations on economic situation in the host countries and connect Vietnamese businesses in those countries. Therefore, it is necessary to take the advantage of external relations for development and national benefits. He noted that the Vietnamese Embassy in India has paid much attention to boosting economic diplomacy. In 2016, it has focused on holding investment promotion and meetings for businesses of both sides, he said. He also emphasised the need for the two countries to further bolster their political ties to create more favourable frameworks and mechanisms for cooperation in the future, while strengthening the operation of joint sub-committees on trade, science and technology and education.-VNA