Sound foreign policy contributes to Vietnam’s stature in int’l arena: Italian expert
A sound foreign policy has helped promote Vietnam’s stature in the international arena, according to Director of Italy-based AGC Communication Antonio Albanese.
Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong (L) meets with Italian President Sergio Mattarella during his State visit to the European country in July 2023. (Photo: VNA)
Rome (VNA) – A sound foreignpolicy has helped promote Vietnam’s stature in the international arena, accordingto Director of Italy-based AGC Communication Antonio Albanese.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency,he described 2023 as a highly successfully year of Vietnam’s diplomacy in termsof its relations with Italy amid the 50th anniversary of bilateraldiplomatic ties, as well as with other countries around the world.
He noted that the Italy - Vietnam relationsdate back to the widespread movement of support for Vietnam in the Europeancountry during the 1960s - 1970s. Nowadays, the country and people of Vietnamhave become even more familiar to Italians thanks to a large number ofcelebratory activities held in many Italian localities this year.
Since Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong’svisit to Italy in July, bilateral relations have reached a new height, becomingmore intensive and closer over time. Aside from the signed agreements, thediplomacies of Vietnam and Italy share relatively many similarities as geo-politicalchanges have led to a demand for a diplomatic policy of peace, diversity, andresponsibility to help enhance international relations, Albanese said.
Director of AGC Communication Antonio Albanese in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA)
In addition to the geo-politicalfactor, cultural traditions are also connecting the two nations, he opined,elaborating that home to millennia-old civilisations and long-standinghistories, they are making joint efforts to ensure peace and prosperity forpeople in each country and their surrounding regions in the face of conflictrisks.
Italyhas engaged in the settlement of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the GazaStrip. Meanwhile, Vietnam has played an important strategic role in theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It has made many importantcontributions to the maintenance of solidarity and unanimity, along with theconsolidation of centrality of ASEAN for regional peace, stability,cooperation, and development, the AGC Communication executive added.
He held that similarities could alsobe seen in the smart diplomatic activities in the two countries’ relations withworld powers, adding those activities have also helped popularise the image of anactive Vietnam to people worldwide, including Italy./.
Despite global headwinds with unprecedented and daunting challenges, Vietnam’s foreign policy, adhering to the “bamboo diplomacy” concept, has carved out various achievements, according to Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son.
Vietnam has effectively carried out its multilateral diplomacy, which helps turn itself into a modern country with increasing prestige in the region, according to Chairman of the Expert Council of the Eurasian Foundation for Support of Scientific Research Grigory Trofimchuk.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stressed the need to stay consistent in principles and flexible in policies and strategies while performing diplomatic tasks, in his remarks at the 32nd National Diplomatic Conference that opened in Hanoi on December 19.
The year 2023 is a particularly successful year of Vietnam’s diplomacy in elevating the country’s relations with important partners in the international arena, said a senior researcher at the Cuban Centre for International Policy Research (CIPI).
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assigned major tasks to the diplomatic sector and relevant agencies in economic diplomacy while addressing a plenary session of the ongoing 32nd National Diplomatic Conference on December 21.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong (L) meets with Italian President Sergio Mattarella during his State visit to the European country in July 2023. (Photo: VNA) 
Director of AGC Communication Antonio Albanese in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency. (Photo: VNA) 
