Nat’l foreign affairs conference stresses need to safeguard Fatherland early, from afar

Hanoi (VNA) - After 35 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnam has achieved great achievements of historical significance, which have been importantly contributed by the successful implementation of the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, multilateralisation and diversification of international relations, including defence diplomacy and international cooperation activities in security and order of the People's Public Security force.

The statement was made by delegates at the National Conference on Foreign Affairs implementing the 13th National Party Congress’s Resolution on December 14.

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien said that over the past years, the defence diplomacy work has been carried out synchronously, comprehensively, flexibly and effectively in both bilateral and multilateral aspects.

Vietnam has to date established defence ties with more than 100 countries around the world, with many substantial and effective cooperation mechanisms such as training and exchange of military delegations, cooperation between armed forces, defence industry, United Nations peacekeeping, among others. These activities have contributed to firmly safeguarding the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation, and consolidating and enhancing the position and prestige of the country and the Vietnamese people's army in the international arena.

In the time to come, the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence will continue to concretise and organise the implementation of defence diplomatic activities in accordance with the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress, considering defence diplomacy as a key task and an important part of the three pillars of Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy.

It is important to implement the stance of defending the Fatherland early and from afar in peacetime, making efforts to prevent conflicts, settle disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, thus contributing to building a peaceful environment, and strengthening strategic trust with partners for nation development, Chien stated.

Efforts will be made to promote multilateral defence diplomacy, make effective proposals; participate in regional and international security architectures, especially defence cooperative mechanisms with the framework of ASEAN, and actively join UN peacekeeping operations, he added.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieut. Gen. Luong Tam Quang highlighted ensuring security and order in the scope and territory of the national border and, in non-traditional security issues and international issues for which many countries and international organisations are responsible, as well as the role and tasks of the police force in performing the external affairs of the Party, State and people.

To successfully implement the foreign policy set out by the 13th National Party Congress, the police force will continue expanding collaboration with law enforcement agencies of other countries and international organisations, and actively participating in political and security institutions and in addressing global security and order issues.

Quang stressed the close combination between diplomacy and other professional measures to proactively prevent and defeat all plots and sabotages by hostile forces. He also highlighted the need to firmly consolidate the security line from afar, from beyond borders and territories, effectively handle security challenges, and fight transnational crimes./.