Vietnam continued to uphold its foreign policy of independence, sovereignty, peace, cooperation and development in active and comprehensive ways that built on the nation’s combined internal strengths. The country conducted many diverse and focused external activities to make its relations with other countries more profound, stable, and sustainable.

Strategic partnerships

In 2009, Vietnam continued to strengthen its special relationship with Laos and full cooperative ties with Cambodia with a focus on economic cooperation. The country also developed multifaceted ties with ASEAN countries bilaterally and within the ASEAN cooperation framework.

The country continuously maintained its strategic partnership with China under the guidelines of neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term stability towards the future in the context of the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and China as well as the upcoming Vietnam-China Friendship Year 2010.

Vietnam took steps to promote ties with the US after President Obama assumed office such as the exchange of high-level delegations, a second dialogue on politics, security and defence, and further cooperation in the fields of economics, trade and investment.

The strategic partnership with Russia continued to be deepened with priority given to such areas as energy, petrol and oil, telecommunications, and defence. Regarding Japan and the Republic of Korea, Vietnam upgraded bilateral relations to the level of a strategic partnership for the benefit of development cooperation.

More essential progress was made in five rounds of negotiating the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EU). Vietnam endeavoured to boost cooperation with each EU member country, especially the UK, Germany, Spain, France, Italy and other Northern and Eastern European countries.

Vietnam also established a strategic partnership with Australia and New Zealand while keeping close ties with traditional fraternal countries and strengthening ties with other potential partners.

Multilateral diplomacy

The country’s status was further enhanced through participation in multilateral forums.  Most prominently, Vietnam successfully served as non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and took over its presidency, which was highly praised by many countries. It successfully hosted the ninth ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting and participated in many other important forums such as the 15h ASEAN Summit, the 17^th APEC Meeting, and the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, which received positive feedback from the international community.

Prime Minister Dung delivers speech at the conference on climate change

Border issues effectively handled

2009 saw a historic breakthrough in Vietnam-China relations as the two countries completed their legal framework on land borders after they finished the demarcation and planting of land border markers.

Regarding the East Sea, Vietnam submitted to the United Nations its report on defining borderlines on its continental shelves.

In addition, Vietnam succeeded in defending its Universal Periodical Review (UPR) before the United Nations Human Rights Council, took the initiative in opening dialogues on human rights with several western countries, and resolutely refuted antagonistic and fallacious arguments.

Diplomacy assists economy

In the context of the global economic crisis, diplomacy made many contributions to curbing the decline of the domestic economy, through predictions and efforts to promote the image of Vietnamese business as well as protect their rights and expand into new markets in the Middle East and Africa.

Cultural diplomacy

In 2009, Vietnam made many breakthroughs in terms of culture such as gaining UNESCO recognition of some of its natural and cultural heritage sites and launching a wide range of ‘resounding’ cultural events inside and outside the country, which assisted greatly in promoting the image and potential of the Vietnamese land and people.

Besides, the country has made great progress in devising policies regarding the practical interests of overseas Vietnamese and in educating this community on its patriotic duties.

Vietnam successfully hosted the first conference for overseas Vietnamese worldwide and another for overseas Vietnamese entrepreneurs.

Major diplomatic events in 2010

In the new year, Vietnam will assume the presidency of ASEAN and of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and host the East Asian Economic Forum. These events are expected to further improve Vietnam’s position in the international arena and facilitate the implementation of the Party and State’s foreign policies.

However, the country may face certain unfavourable conditions in 2010 such as persistent world economic difficulties, epidemics, worsening climate change, and new complications in regional relations.

To make the best use of opportunities and overcome challenges, Vietnam will go ahead with diversified diplomatic activities. The country will focus in particular on fulfilling its role as president of ASEAN in 2010 and solemnly holding meetings at different levels, taking advantage of its presidency to promote the building of an ASEAN community and boost ASEAN relations with other partners around the world.

The country’s economic diplomacy will spotlight opportunities in the post-crisis period and reinforce Vietnam’s deeper participation in the WTO, APEC and related mechanisms for international economic cooperation.

Meanwhile, cultural diplomacy will try to seek UNESCO recognition of other heritage sites and launch new counter-offensives against distortions about Vietnam.

Vietnam will prioritize the teaching of Vietnamese among the overseas Vietnamese community and implement new policies to assist expatriates who visit or invest in their homeland. The country will make a greater effort to protect the rights of Vietnamese citizens in the new context./.