ANNOUNCEMENTS
 
Review of Viet Nam’s diplomacy in 2014 and vision for 2015
 
Along with many economic challenges, the year 2014 is full of complex developments and instabilities in the region and around the world. Most notable is the East Sea issue, which has direct impacts on various aspects of Viet Nam's security and development.
 
In this context, Viet Nam has been persevering with its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of external affairs, and proactive international integration. We are a friend, a trusted partner and a responsible member of the international community. The close collaboration among foreign affairs channels of the Communist Party, the State and the People as well as the cross-sector cooperation among foreign affairs, national defense and security has been further strengthened.
 
The Vietnamese foreign service has significantly contributed to the preservation of a peaceful and stable environment and the common national goal of maintaining independence, self-reliance, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. It has also been successful at mobilizing outside resources to support national development and promote the relations between Viet Nam and other nations, bringing such ties to deeper and more effective levels.
 
Besides bilateral diplomacy, Viet Nam has actively made contribution and recommendations at multilateral forums. Our work at the UN, ASEAN, UNESCO, APEC, ASEM, UN Human Rights Council, IAEA, etc. has not only strengthened Viet Nam's international role and status but also significantly contributed to the national foreign affairs in general. Vietnam's efforts in actively collaborating with other countries to deal with traditional and non-traditional security challenges like terrorism, piracy, transnational crime, climate change and epidemics are greatly appreciated by the international community.
 
In terms of economic diplomacy, the foreign service has been able to fostered economic ties through a range of new-generation, comprehensive and large-scale agreements, notably the completion of the FTAs with Korea and the Customs Union (including Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus) and the ongoing negotiation on the TPP, RCEP and FTA with the EU. Such efforts made a meaningful contribution to achieving macroeconomic stability, maintaining the growth of 5.9% and laying a strong foundation for higher growth in 2015.
 
Significant progress has been achieved in cultural diplomacy activities, foreign affairs information, relations with Vietnamese overseas, and protection of Vietnamese citizens abroad. The successful evacuation of 1,700 Vietnamese citizens out of Libya and safety reassurance for Vietnamese community in Ukraine, among other tasks, have contributed to consolidating the national unity, strengthening the confidence of the Vietnamese people, including those living overseas, in the policies of the Party and State. The cultural diplomacy and information achievements have also been conducive to enhancing the country’s image, as well as facilitating the national construction and development.
 
In 2015, in addition to major commemorative activities of the country (85th anniversary of the Party establishment, 70th anniversary of the founding of the nation, 40th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification), the foreign service will celebrate its 70th anniversary. 2015 also marks the anniversaries of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and a number of countries in the world. In this context, the foreign service will focus on the prioritized tasks on international integration and elevating multilateral diplomacy, including:
 
- continued effective implementation of Resolution No. 22 of the Politburo on International Integration and Resolution No. 8 of the 11th Central Party Committee on the Strategy for Defence of the Fatherland in the New Era; and thorough preparation for the 12th National Party Congress;
 
- strengthening relations with foreign partners, particularly neighboring countries, strategic partners and comprehensive partners, with added efficiency, depth and enhanced mutual trust; maintaining proactive and positive participation in multilateral mechanisms, particularly the ASEAN and the UN, with focus set on the 132nd IPU Assembly in Ha Noi.
 
- implementing diplomatic activities in a comprehensive manner in all areas (political, economic, cultural, diplomacy, Vietnamese overseas and citizen protection, foreign affairs information, and local foreign affairs); closely coordinating party-to-party, state-to-state and people-to-people diplomacy for national development and elevating the status and prestige of Viet Nam in the world.
 
Former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta to visit Viet Nam
 
At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, former Prime Minister Enrico Letta of Italy pays a working visit to Viet Nam from 6th to 12th January 2015.
 
This visit helps strengthen the strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Italy. Both sides will take this opportunity to exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest. On 9th January 2015, Mr. Enrico Letta will pay courtesy calls to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.
 
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 
Answering questions on Viet Nam’s reaction to Charlie Hebdo terror attack on 07th January 2015, MOFA Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated,
 
“Viet Nam condemns all acts of terror in any form. The 07th January terror attack on the Paris headquarters of Charlie Hebdo is an unacceptable barbaric act.
 
Viet Nam would like to extend our sincere condolences and sympathy to the French government, people, and victim families. We believe that the perpetrators of this act will be brought to justice.
 
On 8th January 2015, President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent condolence messages to their French counterparts, President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Manuel Valls respectively. On the same date, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent his condolence message to French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.”