VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam’s international integration will be intensified over the next five years, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said at a roundtable discussion in Ha Noi last Friday.

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Centre) speaks at a roundtable discussion in Ha Noi Friday.— Photo vov.vn

The talks on Viet Nam’s international integration attracted more than 50 delegates, including foreign ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic corps, foreign organisations, research institutes, businesses and localities.

Son underlined the country’s consistent policy of comprehensive and intensive integration in all spheres, focusing on international economic integration.

In the new phase of development, Viet Nam would intensify its integration through its economy, politics, defence, security, culture and society, Son said. It would enhance its integration into the region through the ASEAN Community and into the world through multilateral diplomacy.

"Viet Nam, as a developing nation, attaches importance to south-south co-operation and is willing to play a greater role in fostering these efforts by sharing its experiences in doi moi (renewal), socio-economic development and international integration," the official noted.

Pratibha Mehta, UN Resident Co-ordinator in Viet Nam, said international integration had strongly contributed to the country’s socio-economic development and diplomatic stature.

Viet Nam’s achievements in realising the Millennium Development Goals were precious lessons that should be shared with other countries, particularly developing ones, to help implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Mehta said. That would also demonstrate Viet Nam’s active role in promoting south-south co-operation.

At the roundtable, participants said that in order to facilitate international integration, Viet Nam would need assistance from the international community. It was also important to step up reforms, especially institutional reforms, fine-tune the legal system, train manpower and assist vulnerable fields amid the intensive integration period, participants said.

In addition, support from a developed partner would help Viet Nam effectively contribute to south-south co-operation, especially sharing skills and experiences in carrying out the Sustainable Development Goals, they added.

VNS