Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception for the diplomatic corps in Hanoi on January 31, calling for continued support from foreign diplomats to help Vietnam deepen its international relations and implement important tasks in the future.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Photo VOV)

He said 2017 had been considered one of the most successful years for Vietnamese diplomacy with the highlight being the hosting of APEC Year 2017.

“We have exchanged 53 high-level delegations with friends and partners all over the world. This is a record, exhibiting both the breadth and depth of Vietnam’s foreign relations,” he said.

He said Vietnam will continue to pursue a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, and active international integration.

He hoped for further support and cooperation from the diplomats and international organisations so that Vietnam can carry out planned tasks such as its candidature to a non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 term and the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2020.

On behalf of the capital city's administration, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung highlighted the achievements that the city attained in the past year, part of which were thanks to the assistance and cooperation of the diplomatic missions, international organisations and foreign enterprises.

He said in this year and beyond, the capital will continue to transform the economic growth model, create a breakthrough in private investment as well as attract foreign investment.

Venezuelan Ambassador and head of the diplomatic corps Jorge Rondon Uzcategui El Houcine Fardani praised Vietnam for weathering natural calamities and the instability of the global economy last year to achieve impressive GDP growth of 6.81 percent, and a large increase in export and foreign investment. He hoped that Vietnam could realise all set targets and sustain a prosperous life for all Vietnamese people.-VNA