President asks new ambassadors to promote economic diplomacy

Talking to 16 new ambassadors and 8 heads of Vietnamese representative offices overseas after presenting appointment decisions to them on August 9, the President told the diplomats that the country is at a critical stage in the process of international integration and implementing the socio-economic development strategy in 2011-2020.

At the same time, the regional and international situations are experiencing rapid and complex developments.

The global economy is entering a new period with opportunities and challenges. Added to this is the unstable and unpredictable political and security situation in the region and beyond, particularly the fiercer competition among power countries and the emergence of trade war, he said.

The State leader required the diplomats to keep close track of regional and global developments in order to make in-depth analysis and accurate forecasts along with proposing effective solutions to deepen Vietnam’s external relations with foreign countries, especially with neighbouring ones, power nations, and important partners.

The diplomats should proactively coordinate with relevant ministries and departments in preventing and warning against conflicts and pursuing peaceful settlement of disputes based on international law and regional principles of conduct.

At the same time, the diplomats must always be prepared with plans to firmly defend the national sovereignty, territorial integrity and interests while actively canvassing support from international friends, President Quang said.

He urged the diplomats to assist efforts to persify and expand export markets for Vietnamese products and attract high-quality foreign investment.

Another task for the ambassadors and heads of representative offices overseas is to implement the Party and State’s consistent policy of actively involving in multilateral forums and organisations, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) along with regional forums and mechanisms, and the United Nations (UN).

The President also stressed the importance of the protection of Vietnamese nationals overseas, as close to 4.5 million Vietnamese are living abroad and millions of others are studying, working, travelling and doing business in foreign countries.

On behalf of the newly-accredited ambassadors and heads of representative offices, Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Hong Nam – who was appointed as Ambassador to Japan – pledged to work to build and maintain a peaceful environment and gather resources for the country’s sustainable development, and to enhance Vietnam’s position in the international arena.

Along with the overseas Vietnamese, the diplomats will serve as a bridge to connect and promote the friendship between Vietnam and other countries, he added.