Hanoi (VNA) - Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son hasaffirmed the diplomatic sector, under the leadership of the Party, isdetermined to build a modern, comprehensive and strong diplomacy, contributingto successfully completing the resolution and foreign policy set at the 13thNational Party Congress.

In his article on the occasion of the diplomatic sector’s 78th founding anniversary (August 28, 1945-2023), Son wrote that over the past 78years, under the leadership of the Party, the sector has inherited and upheldthe cultural identity and diplomatic traditions of the nation, based onMarxism-Leninism and Ho Chi Minh's thought, while absorbing the world'scultural quintessence and progressive ideas. Thereby, the sector has built aunique and special diplomacy imbued with “Vietnamese bamboo” characters.

Since the beginning of the 13th tenure of the Party (2021-2026), the diplomatic sector has gradually concretised andimplemented the congress’s foreign policy in a concerted, creative andeffective manner, and obtained significant achievements. The country hasstrengthened relations with major and neighbouring countries, partners andtraditional friends in a substantive and effective way.

Over the past two years, despite difficulties causedby the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has successfully organised more than 170high-level external activities, including more than 30 visits of high-rankingleaders. To date, the country has set up diplomatic ties with 192 countriesaround the world, and engaged in economic-trade partnerships with morethan 230 countries and territories.

This has opened up many markets, and attracted sources of capital, technologyand knowledge to speed up national industrialisation and modernisation, Sonwrote, adding that the economic diplomacy has made direct and importantcontributions to COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as socio-economic recoveryand development. The cultural diplomacy, overseas Vietnamese affairs, andcitizen protection have seen positive outcomes as well.

As a reliable partner and an active and responsible memberof the international community, Vietnam’s position and reputation have beencontinuously consolidated and enhanced. Vietnam has taken on and fulfilled anumber of international responsibilities, including Chairman of ASEAN 2020,non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021tenure, Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly's 77th session,member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure andthe International Law Commission for the 2023-2027 period.

The diplomatic sector has helped improve the country's imageas an independent, self-reliant, innovative, peace-loving, trustworthy, sincereand responsible member in the international community, the minister affirmed.

The above-mentioned achievements have contributed to thefortune, strength, international standing and prestige that the country hasnever had before. They affirm the sound foreign policy of the Party and Stateand are the crystallisation of the efforts of the whole Party, army and people;the close collaboration among diplomatic pillars, forces and sectors at alllevels; and the active participation of the whole political system, includingthe persistent efforts and contributions of Vietnam's diplomacy over the past78 years, stressed Son.

Apart from obtained achievements, the diplomatic sector hasalso revealed several shortcomings and weaknesses thatneed to be fixed in the time to come.

In order to meet the development requirements of the countryas well as the diplomatic sector in the new situation, the sector has renovateditself; concertedly and effectively implemented external affairs tasks;promoted the glorious traditions of Vietnam’s diplomacy; creatively applied HoChi Minh's thought on diplomacy; strictly followed the foreign policy set by the13th National Party Congress; and proactively sought new ways, new directions and new fields to build a modern, comprehensive and strong diplomatic sector./.