Viet Nam should continue to drive the relations with its 30 strategic and comprehensive partners into a framework of deepened trust and enhanced convergence of interests, said Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. 

Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son speaks at the debate session within the
framework of the ongoing 13th National Party Congress, National Convention
Center, Ha Noi, January 27, 2021. Photo: VGP

Son made the above suggestion on Thursday at a debate session within the framework of the 13th National Party Congress.

He emphasized that development should be placed at the center of Viet Nam’s relations with the aforesaid partners and that Asia-Pacific should be the key strategic playground.

At the same time, Viet Nam should step up cooperation with potential partners in other regions, Son added

The country should also foster international integration process in a comprehensive and extensive manner while elevating the multilateral diplomacy and engaging more actively and proactively in shaping multilateral institutions like ASEAN, the United Nations, Mekong cooperation among others.

It also needs to be consistent with promoting multilateralism and international law, according to the Deputy Foreign Minister.

He underlined the importance of smooth coordination between diplomatic sector and defense and security sectors, between the Party and State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy in order to create solid background for firm protection of the national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity.

It is necessary to be proactive in preventing and neutralizing security threats through beefing up dialogue, trust building, preventive diplomacy and rule of law, said the Deputy Foreign Minister./.