He also applauded efforts by the Ministry in negotiations regarding the demarcation of land borders between Vietnam and China.

PM Dung paid a working visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi on November 25 as part of a review of the diplomatic sector’s operations, its orientations and future tasks.

According to the Government leader, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has truly become a key advisory agency, assisting the Government in matters relating to external affairs and operating as the core force in implementing the Party and State’s foreign policy as well as enforcing State management in the foreign service.

Over the past three years, through external activities carried out on the fronts of politics, economy, culture and overseas Vietnamese-related work, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made new strides in building up the diplomatic sector.

Also, it has made important contributions to the nation’s achievements, PM Dung stressed, citing the country’s political stability and social security, its growing prestige in the international arena, its admission into the World Trade Organisation and becoming a United Nations Security Council’s non-permanent member.

For the coming time, PM Dung asked the diplomatic sector to continue its good work following the goals and duties set forth at the Party’s 10th Congress resolution and the 2001-2010 national socio-economic development strategy.

The sector should undertake external activities via every channel, in diverse and flexible forms, to help the nation boost ties with its partners around the world, maintain a peaceful environment and create the most favourable conditions to spur the national growth, PM Dung said.

He asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to boost its coordination with other ministries, sectors and localities in 2010, the year the country will mark such important events as its ASEAN Chairmanship, the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, and the organisation of grassroots Party congresses in preparation for the Party’s 11th National Congress./.