Hanoi (VNA) – The upgrade of the relationship andthe adoption of the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and theOffice of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam reflect efforts,goodwill, and mutual respect between Vietnam and the Vatican, said DeputyMinister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang.

The two sides announced the adoption of the Status ofthe Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident PapalRepresentative in Vietnam during a recent visit to the Vatican by Vietnamese PresidentVo Van Thuong.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Thang said the relationship between the State of Vietnam and the Vaticanis relatively special. The Vatican is an independent state and also a religiousorganisation having great influence on the Catholic community around the world,including in Vietnam.

Implementing the consistent foreign policy of independence,self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations,and being a trustworthy friend and partner of countries and a responsible member ofthe international community, Vietnam attaches importance to and is ready topromote relations with the Holy See in the principle of respecting each other’sindependence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, not interfering in eachother’s internal affairs, and actively contributing to global peace,cooperation and development.

Thang noted bilateral relations have recordedprogress over periods, adding that during many meetings with leaders of Vietnam,the Holy See proposed the two sides lift the relationship from the status of Non-ResidentPapal Representative to that of the Resident Papal Representative so as to createconditions for the representative to work with the Vietnamese Government andthe Catholic Church of Vietnam.

The upgrade of the relationship and the adoptionof the status of the Resident PapalRepresentative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnamreflect efforts, goodwill, and mutual respect between Vietnam and the Vatican,he said, adding that the relationship has been carried out following an appropriateroadmap and in conformity with Vietnamese law, the international treaties towhich Vietnam is a party, as well as the situation of bilateral ties.

Duringthe negotiation process, the two sides worked together to deal withissues, showing their goodwill and sense of responsibility towards thepromotion of relations. The Catholic community of Vietnam has made activecontributions to the relationship upgrade, according to the official.

Highlighting the importance of the relationshipelevation, Thang said that the upgrade will open up a newinterrelation between the two sides. Issues relevant to bilateral ties will bequickly and directly discussed with the resident representative, who will havefavourable conditions to fulfill his duties and responsibilities assigned bythe Holy See and further care for religious activities of the Vietnamese CatholicChurch.

To Vietnam,the upgrade, aside from reflecting the righteous foreignpolicy of the Party and State, also demonstrates its recognition of the HolySee’s goodwill and positive instructions for the Vietnamese Catholic Churchduring the negotiation process; shows the Party and State’s attention to Catholicismand encouragement to Catholic dignitaries and followers to maintain their trustin the Party and State’s guidelines and policies; and creates favourableconditions for religious dignitaries, monks, and followers to practice theirreligions in line with law and stand side by side with administrations at alllevels, the Deputy Minister added./.