Foreign affairs have made positive contributions to protecting Vietnam's sovereignty over sea and islands in the East Sea and maintaining peace, stability and relations with other countries, delegates at a meeting held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi heard on January 17.

The meeting reviewed the foreign affairs of Vietnam in 2016 and outlined plans for 2017 in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

Despite unpredictable developments in the world in 2016, the diplomacy sector of Vietnam carried out foreign affairs flexibly; promptly responding to complicated situations in the world.

Vietnam has deepened its bilateral and multilateral relations and consolidated political trust with many countries while balancing relations with neighbouring countries as well as powerful countries, helping to create a peaceful and stable environment for national development.

Last year Vietnam successfully held the 7th Ayeyawady–Chao Phraya–Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy Summit (ACMECS 7), the 8th Cambodia–Laos–Myanmar–Vietnam Summit (CLMV 8) and the World Economic Forum on the Mekong (WEF-Mekong).

Speaking at the meeting, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh asked the diplomacy sector to focus on several tasks including the research and forecast of world developments and maintaining relations with partners, particularly key partners.

The diplomacy sector was also requested to continue keeping a peaceful and stable environment for national development and international integration.

VNA