Assistant to the Vietnamese Foreign Minister Duong Chi Dung has emphasised Vietnam’s support for intensifying economic cooperation of Francophonie, especially the economic and digital strategies.

Assistant to the Vietnamese Foreign Minister Duong Chi Dung 

Dung, who is also head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva, led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 35th Ministerial Conference of the International Organisation of Francophonie (OIF) in Yerevan, Armenia, on October 8.

Welcoming the OIF’s achievements in the fields of security and politics, Dung affirmed Vietnam’s willingness to share its experience in tripartite and South-South cooperation.

Vietnam is also willing to contribute to joint efforts by the Francophonie community and the international community to maintain peace and security, by sending officers to participate in the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions in Central Africa and a level-2 field hospital to South Sudan.

Regarding the East Sea situation, Dung expressed his hope that the organisation will continue calling on parties involved to avoid unilateral actions that can make the situation more complicated, ensure aviation and navigation safety and freedom, and solve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, with respect for legal and diplomatic processes, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and working towards the formation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

To contribute more to peace, stability and development in the world, Vietnam decided to run for the post as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council during the 2020-2021 tenure and wants to receive OIF members’ backing, Dung said.

The 35th OIF Ministerial Conference took place on October 8-9 to prepare for the 17th Francophone Summit to be held in Yerevan on October 11-12.

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh will attend the summit, showing the country’s efforts to participate in the OIF’s activities actively and responsibly.-VNA