Deputy PM, FM grants interview on foreign affairs
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has granted an interview to press agencies on foreign affairs, on the occasion of the traditional lunar New Year.
Reviewing the world’s situation in 2019, Minh
said the global economy experienced the lowest growth of 2.9-3 percent
(according to the International Monetary Fund) since the global financial
crisis in 2008-2009.
One of the reasons behind
this was the slow growth of developing countries, the implementation of trade
protection policies, and the trade competition between China and the US.
Furthermore, uncertainties are increasing,
especially in hot spots such as the Middle East, Minh said, referring to the terrorism
fight and the strategic competition between powers.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the violation by
Chinese survey vessel group Haiyang Dizhi 8 of Vietnam’s exclusive economic
zone complicated the situation, Minh said, adding that 2020 will continue to be
a tough year with a lot of unpredictable developments.
Despite these headwinds in 2019, Vietnam achieved
significant external activities, Minh stressed, pointing out that Vietnam has developed
sound relations with powers as well as neighbouring countries.
To date, Vietnam has set up strategic and comprehensive partnership with 30
countries, he stressed.
In addition, the country also brought into full play the role of multilateral
diplomacy as stipulated in the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat’s Directive
No.25- CT/TW.
The hosting of the second DPRK – USA Summit in Hanoi at the beginning of 2019
is a vivid illustration for Vietnam’s readiness to join global efforts to bring
peace and stability to the Korean peninsula. In other words, Vietnam is willing
to play the role as a conciliator, he said.
Winning a non-permanent membership at the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure has affirmed Vietnam’s increasing position in the international arena as well, he highlighted, adding as this year Vietnam also plays the role as the ASEAN Chair, more efforts must be exerted to enhance the country’s role as well as deepen its relations with other nations.
The Deputy PM and FM said being a member of the UN Security Council is an
honour and also a responsibility for Vietnam, as it raises the country’s
role in addressing the world’s major issues.
It is not the
first time Vietnam won a seat
at the UNSC, he said, adding that the country used to be there from 2008 – 2009. But this time, the country
takes on much heavier responsibility as the world is seeing complicated developments
and at the UNSC, the differences on interests remains large, the Deputy PM noted.
But joining
the UNSC at a difficult time will offer Vietnam an opportunity to promote its
role and responsibility, he asserted.
In the first
month in the new position, Vietnam became the UNSC President and the topic proposed by Vietnam
in an open UNSC debate saw a record number of 110 countries participating in.
Taking the
dual role as the UNSC
President and the ASEAN
Chair, Vietnam has initiated to provide the UNSC with information about ASEAN
to beef up relations between the two sides. This is the first time such a work is done, thus raising the role
and image of the regional grouping./.