Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko enjoyed Vietnamese coffee at the Hanoi Flagpole. (Photo: Tuan Viet)

Could you please share with us the role of diplomatic service in implementing Belarus' diplomacy?

On January 22, we will celebrate the 105^th anniversary of the Belarusian diplomatic service. Over these years, Belarusian diplomacy, like our entire country, has gone through many trials, achieved significant successes, made an essential contribution to the development of the Belarusian state, increasing the authority of Belarus in the international arena, strengthening and expanding ties with foreign countries and international organizations.

Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Uladzimir Baravikou. (Source: Belarusian Embassy in tại Hanoi)

Since gaining independence in 1991, Belarus has established diplomatic relations with 183 countries, including Vietnam, on January 24, 1992. Today, our country is represented worldwide by 71 foreign institutions, among them 57 embassies, two permanent missions, 11 consulates general, and one consulate in 57 countries, including the Embassy of Belarus in Hanoi and the Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

If adding the non-resident Ambassadors, Belarus is represented in 105 states – the same number of years of the Belarusian diplomatic service. Behind these figures stands the persistent and hard work of Belarusian diplomats.

Belarus' foreign policy priorities are strengthening ties with Russia within the Union State, participating in integration structures in the former USSR area in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, joining BRICS, and expanding ties with countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

We pay special attention to developing interaction with the ASEAN member countries. This region is promising for us regarding supplies of agricultural products, machinery and equipment, and other Belarusian goods.

As a founding country of the United Nations, Belarus has made and continues to make an essential contribution to strengthening the U.N.'s role in global and regional processes. Among Belarus' most significant initiatives are the recognition of the diversity of paths of progressive development, the creation of international partnerships, combating human trafficking, as well as resolutions of the U.N. General Assembly on nuclear disarmament, illegal unilateral economic measures, restoration of territories affected by the Chornobyl accident, and others.

An indicator of recognition of Belarus's important role in regional integration is our country's participation as an observer in the U.N. Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

Perhaps the main achievement of Belarusian diplomacy is its contribution to the formation and strengthening of a sovereign, independent, respected, and future-oriented Belarusian state, which has become a full-fledged subject of international relations, where every resident, be it a Belarusian or another national, feels good and comfortable.

What are the contributions of diplomats to the development of the relations between Vietnam and Belarus, including the recent official visit by the Prime Minister of Belarus to Vietnam?

Based on mutual assistance and partnership traditions, Belarus and Vietnam have successfully developed mutually beneficial ties at all levels and implemented interesting large-scale projects in various fields.

Over 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, solid baggage has been accumulated, consisting of hundreds of mutual visits at the highest and high levels, including three visits of heads of state to Vietnam and Belarus, more than a hundred bilateral interstate, intergovernmental, interdepartmental and interregional documents, dozens of essential projects in trade, economic and investment spheres.

Most importantly, we have managed to maintain and strengthen trust and mutual understanding between our countries and peoples. The Belarusian diplomatic service gets much credit in this regard.

The official visit by the Republic of Belarus Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Roman Golovchenko, to Vietnam on 6–9 December 2023 became the main event in Belarusian-Vietnamese relations last year.

Among the concrete outcomes are the agreements reached to implement joint projects in industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, education, and environmental protection.

As the main result, we consider the resumption of exchanging visits at the government level between our countries, which was interrupted during the pandemic. The achieved results will serve as the foundation for the implementation of new initiatives and projects throughout 2024 and beyond.

Wishing for the New Year -Year 4, what are your wishes for Vietnam and the relationship between the two countries?

You always want to believe and hope for the best on New Year's Eve. Faith and hope are inherent in all people, nations, and states.

Belarus and Vietnam are no exception. We believe the solid and time-tested friendship between our countries and peoples will further strengthen Belarusian-Vietnamese relations. We hope that our Vietnamese partners share our expectations and belief that through joint efforts, we will be able to solve all problems and take our cooperation to a higher level.

We believe that Vietnam, under the wise leadership of the Communist Party and its leader, Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, will achieve even more significant success in socio-economic development, improving the standard of living and well-being of citizens, strengthening the authority and role of the Vietnamese state in the region and in the world.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to congratulate all the people of Vietnam on the Tet Holiday and wish them good health, mutual understanding, well-being, and prosperity.

May this year bring new exciting plans, ideas, projects, and opportunities for their implementation. It will have unique, positive meetings, events, and impressions. May warmth, love, peace, joy, and happiness settle in every heart and every home in the new year!

Thank you very much, Excellency!