Vietnam will make greater efforts to deepen its external relations, primarily with key partners and traditional friends, in the new stage of development, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said at a conference held in Hanoi on August 20 to mark 70 years of Vietnam’s diplomacy. In multilateral diplomacy, Vietnam continues to be a proactive and responsible ASEAN member and simultaneously participate in other multilateral mechanisms, first and foremost the United Nations, he said. Vietnam always remembers the huge support of the international community to its national liberation, development and integration and hopes to receive more global assistance to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity in the region and beyond, he added. Chinese Ambassador Hong Xiaoyong spoke of the Vietnamese diplomacy sector’s efforts in promoting its important role in building a socialist country of independence, self-reliance and happiness. He hailed the sector’s active contributions to the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region. Meanwhile, Cambodian Ambassador Hul Phany highlighted Vietnam’s valuable assistance in liberating Cambodia from the Pol Pot genocide as well as in economic development and promoting friendship between the two countries’ peoples. World Bank’s Country Director for Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa emphasised the country’s contribution to peace, stability and prosperity in the region. She said today Vietnam is a country at peace with itself, and with a strong sense of national identity. Vietnam has built and continues to enjoy sustained and strong political stability a key attraction for external investors. In their speeches, UK and Australian Ambassadors commented that Vietnam has a consistent policy of external affairs which has been implemented effectively and shows the country’s activeness in multilateral mechanisms such as international peacekeeping activities and economic connections. As a result, the Southeast Asian country has significantly contributed to consolidating the role of international law as well as peace and stability in the region and around the world, they said. Regarding the future orientations, delegates expressed their belief that Vietnam will play a crucial role in and make considerable contributions to the international community, especially in the maintenance of regional peace and stability through its stance of resolving disputes by peaceful means and in line with international law. According to US Ambassador Ted Osius, the Vietnamese diplomacy always pursues fundamental principles on international relations such as respecting international law, respecting the interests of Vietnam and partners as well as maintaining peace and stability in the region. He said he believes that Vietnam will play an increasingly important role in regional and international diplomacy in the coming century, For Vietnam, the way ahead is clear; successful global integration, increasing prosperity for its citizens, and a more responsible role in promoting peace and stability for this region and beyond. Participants also highlighted the role of Vietnam in the establishment of the ASEAN Community as well as recognised the country’s capacity to cooperate with partners to jointly address global challenges. Babeth Lefur from Oxfam in Vietnam affirmed the UK non-governmental organisation’s continued support for the Vietnamese Government in socio-economic development efforts as well as at multilateral forums. UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pratibha Mehta said that the UN will assist Vietnam in implementing the Millennium Development Goals and actively participating in regional and global multilateral mechanisms. EU Ambassador Franz Jessen congratulated the Foreign Ministry on its achievements over the past 70 years, saying Vietnam has become an active member of the international community, and one of the leading countries in the region. With its dynamic economy, strategic location, growing population and strong historical and cultural roots, Vietnam has taken its place in the society of nations that is the basis for international relations. Vietnam’s membership of ASEAN deserves a special mention, as its role in strengthening the structures of the regional institutions and developing a collective approach to the region’s problems has been substantial, he added. Assistant of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador Duong Chi Dung thanked the delegates for their open and active discussion and concluded that Vietnam will continue to develop its relations with foreign partners and actively implement policies of expansion, diversification, multilateralism and international integration.-VNA