Hanoi (VNA) -While the world saw profound instability in 2019, the Pacific – Asia regionproved to be the leading region in terms of economic integration, Deputy PrimeMinister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh has said.

Writing on the achievements of Vietnam’sdiplomacy sector in 2019 as the year ended, Minh said while the global economyhas slowed and conflict between globalisation and protectionism hasbecome fiercer, the Association of South East Asia Nations (ASEAN) has stayed self-reliantand proved its important role in the policies of many major countries.

For Vietnam, 2019 was ayear with many achievements of the diplomatic sector in implementing theParty’s policies on international integration and economic diplomacy.

The country effectivelyimplemented the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership (CPTPP). After just a year in operation, the first new generationFTA in the world has helped Vietnam's export turnover to CPTPP members such asJapan, Canada and Mexico increase significantly compared to 2018.

Vietnam officially signedthe European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EuropeanUnion-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) and completednegotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement(RCEP).

TheGlobal Competitiveness Index (GCI) 2019, issued by the World EconomicForum (WEF), revealed Vietnam had jumped 10 places from last year to 67, makingit the most improved country of 2019.

Foreign direct investment (FDI)pledged to Vietnam reached 38.02 billion USD this year, marking a 10-year highand representing a year-on-year increase of 7.2 percent. Vietnam also welcomedmore than 18 million international tourists in 2019.

Besides economic integration, integrationin politics - diplomacy, defence - security and culture - society wasalso strongly promoted.

Vietnam participated in jointmaritime exercises for the first time with the US in the framework of ASEAN,signed a Framework Participation Agreement with the European Union thatwill facilitate Vietnam’s contribution to the EU's Common Securityand Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations, and ratified ConventionNo 98 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The country sent the secondlevel-2 field hospital to join the UN Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudanafter the first level-2 field hospital successfully completed its mission.

Achieving the second positionat the 30th Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines recently and otheroutstanding achievements also confirmed Vietnam's new position in the regionaland international sports map.

The country's achievements inmultilateral relations in 2019 also boosted its growing international status.

Early this year, Vietnam hostedthe second summit between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) andthe US, a move highly praised by the international community for efforts tocontribute to peace in the world.

Winning 192 out of 193 votes onJune 7, Vietnam became a non-permanent member of the UN Security Councilfor the 2020-2021 term. This will be the second time that the country hasheld this post, demonstrating its wish to contribute to world security andpeace and proving Vietnam is a responsible member of the UN.

In terms of bilateralrelations, Vietnam maintained stable and positive relations with all countries.Leaders of the Party, State, Government and National Assembly made 17 visitsabroad and received 22 high-ranking delegations paying visits to Vietnam, whichhelped gain important outcomes with partners.

To date, Vietnam hasestablished a network of 30 strategic partners and comprehensive partners.

The diplomatic sectorcontributed effectively to defending the nation's sovereignty and territorialintegrity, both on land and at sea. Vietnam and Cambodia have signed andratified two legal documents recognising 84 percent of demarcation results,creating an important foundation to build a border of peace anddevelopment.

In the most complicated andserious situation in the East Sea in the past five years, Vietnam properlyassessed the situation, gave prompt reactions and dealt with thesituation strongly to defend the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity,legitimate rights and interests.

At the same time, Vietnam hasalso been working with ASEAN members and partners to build a Code ofConduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law.

The year 2020 has a veryimportant meaning, when Vietnam prepares for the Socio-Economic DevelopmentStrategy from 2021 to 2030 and celebrates 90 years of the establishment of the CommunistParty of Vietnam, 75 years of the country’s establishment and 130 years of latePresident Ho Chi Minh’s birthday.

It is also important because Vietnamwill take on the Chair of ASEAN 2020 and non-permanent member of the UnitedNations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term, holding the tworesponsibilities together for the first time.

This will be an opportunity forVietnam to take advantage of bilateral relations with other countries, creatingnew impetus for enhancing the role and position of the country.

With the theme 'Cohesive andResponsive' for the ASEAN Chairmanship 2020, and 'Vietnam: TrustedPartnership for Peace and Sustainability' as the non-permanent member ofthe UN Security Council, Vietnam will work with international friends andpartners to foster multilateralism, the rule of law and enhance the ASEAN’scentrality role in the regional structure, and further enhance cooperation between the ASEAN and the UN.

With that spirit in mind, Vietnamwill work to affirm its important bridging role between the ASEAN and the UN,contributing to the cause of promoting peace, cooperation and development inthe region and in the world./.