Parliamentary diplomacy in greater international integration process

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan

Addressing the session, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan described the Diplomatic Conference as an important forum for not only the diplomatic sector but also all agencies, and diplomats in particular.

Meanwhile Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam said the Vietnamese NA has broaden bilateral ties with parliaments of nearly 180 countries and is an active member of many inter-parliamentary institutions such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the Inter-Parliamentary Union for French-Speaking Participants (IPF). It is also a founding member of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and the Association of Asian Parliaments for Peace (AAPP). The NA’s supreme supervision for border management, local diplomacy, appointment of ambassadors and protection of citizens have helped improve the quality of the country’s external affairs.

The promotion of the legislative body's external affairs has contributed to deepening ties with comprehensive strategic partners, important neighbouring countries and traditional friends and elevating the country’s international profile.

Participants agreed that the NA’s achievements in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy have played an important role in implementing the foreign policy adopted at the 12th National Party Congress, successfully fulfilling a goal of preserving a peaceful and stable environment and taking full advantage of external resources for national development and protection, and raising the international position and prestige of the NA and Vietnam as well.