New Year get-together held for diplomatic corps
(VOV) - The Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism coordinated with the Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee hosted a New Year get-together for diplomatic corps in Hanoi on February 1.
Addressing the meeting, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh noted 2012 was the second year of implementing the foreign policy adopted at the 11th National Party Congress.
The Vietnamese Party’s and State’s external activities have helped promote international friendship and cooperation in a regional and global context abounding with both challenges and opportunities.
Vietnam has maintained macroeconomic stability and socio-political security and kept inflation at 6.81 percent. The country’s export turnover rose 18.3 percent, import turnover was up 7.1 percent, and total GDP 5.03 percent. Export surplus hit the 20-year record high of US$284 million.
Progress was also seen in culture and social affairs, Minh said.
FM Binh Minh, Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Hoang Anh Tuan, and Hanoi Municipal People’s Committee Chairman Pham The Thao praised the valuable support international friends have extended Vietnam over the past year and expressed their wish to further enhance the ties of friendship, cooperation, and development with all nations and international organisations in the future.
Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam El Houcine Fardani congratulated Vietnam on its efforts to overcome the difficulties arising from the global economic downturn and continue its record of remarkable socio-economic achievements.
He said he hopes the Vietnamese Government will use these achievements to spur on the national economic restructuring that serves as a foundation for the 2011–2015 socio-economic development plan and the 2011–2020 socio-economic development strategy.