On the side-line of the 11th National Party Congress, Party Central Committee member and Standing Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh spoke with Viet Nam News over new Party foreign policy.
It has been documented at the congress that Viet Nam would be "proactive and active in international integration" instead of "international economic integration" as previously. What does this change represent?
Highlighting "international integration" in documents at the congress would open the way for the country's integration activities in all aspects, including politics, culture, security and national defence. Integration in various aspects would supplement and support each other.
The context for the policy is "proactive and active" but to what extent each sector should integrate and what is the itinerary for each sector would be mapped out so integration provides the largest possible returns.
International integration is a major orientation and a global trend, as are increased regional and inter-regional links, combined with the ever growing pace of science and technology. Integration can only be successful when the power of the nation and capacity of cadres have reached a certain level.
After 25 years of doi moi, with important results achieved in terms of international economic integration and expanded co-operation in other aspects, we have the basis to integrate faster, more pro-actively and across more sectors.
What opportunities do you see arising through international integration?
International integration is a crucial method to fully tap the country's potential and strengths. These strengths include our economic development strategy, socio-political stability, favourable geographic position in a thriving region and traditional culture. In other words, integration is important to creating an effective combination of the power of the nation and that of the current epoch.
International integration gives us a chance to more actively integrate in resolving common issues of interest to the international community, contribute properly to the construction of regional and international standards, while ensuring national interest, peace and security.
However, new challenges would arise from shifting from international economic integration to international integration. There could be more negative effects due to external factors. Uncertainties would not only relate to economics but security, politics and social issues.
Moreover, negative impacts from one aspect would spread quickly to the other. They require us to supplement and complete institutional reform and modernise the national administrative structure.
What are the other new features can be found in the Party's line on foreign affairs?
Continuing the achievements the country have gained during the past 25 years and being fully aware of domestic and the international situation, the 11th Party Congress's line on foreign affairs would be a new direction.
For the first time, the Party's documents say that benefit of the nation and people is the absolute objective of foreign affairs.
The Party has also clearly defined that Viet Nam is an ASEAN member. It is written: "Striving, together with ASEAN member states, to build South East Asia into a peaceful, stable, co-operative and prosperous region."
That definition is important in continuing to reach a consensus and agree a plan of action internally. It is a fact since joining ASEAN over the past 15 years that ASEAN plays an ever crucial role to our security and development. To other countries, particularly ASEAN members, this well-defined view in the draft Platform will act as a good signal in terms of Viet Nam's attitude and strategy towards building an ASEAN community. Viet Nam will be an "active, proactive and responsible" member and we'll be working to enhance solidarity within ASEAN.
In addition, external activities would be carried out "simultaneously and comprehensively". This represents a new step in our foreign policy. It should ensure foreign policy issues are executed in all aspects, via all channels with harmony and consensus in leadership.
What measure do you suggest should be taken to follow the above-mentioned line?
First, the implementation of the line, strategies, policies and action plans would be simultaneous.
Second, we rapidly need to increase the capacity of officials working in foreign affairs so they could meet requirements of the country during the period of qualitative integration into the region and the world. Key officials from central down to a local level must be kept abreast with knowledge on international affairs.
Third, the study of global trends and strategies adopted by partners must be taken into account because we are living in a world of swift and complicated changes and progress.
Fourth, there should be simultaneous and close co-ordination among sectors in implementing external relations. — VNS
Source: http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn
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