Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, April 25 (VNA) -- Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien has again described socialist orientation, independence, self-reliance and national identity as basic principles for Viet Nam's foreign policy, which help enhance the national potential and strengths.

Addressing the just-ended ninth National Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) congress, the foreign minister also declared to the international community that Viet Nam wants to be reliable friends and partners of all countries the world over to strive for peace, independence and development, saying "This is a message of our congress to the world".

"Viet Nam will continue to realize its constant foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, openness, diversification and ultilateralization of international relations," Mr. Nien said, while addressing the CPV congress on April 22.

According to FM Nguyen Dy Nien, Viet Nam's foreign affairs should focus on the following five important tasks:

First, to continue broadening friendship and cooperation with all countries, international and regional organizations, major political and economic centres on the basis of mutual respect for each other's national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, equality and mutual benefit, non-intervention in each other's internal affairs, without using or threatening to use force, and settlement of disputes and differences through peaceful negotiations.

To fight all attempts and acts of peaceful evolution, outside pressure, imposition and hegemony.

To attach importance to developing ties with socialist and neighbouring countries as well as countries that have traditional and friendly relations with Viet Nam, major countries and international organizations of which Viet Nam is a member.

Secondly, to effectively serve national economic development in the international integration process, helping draw foreign investment and foreign aid, expand markets and outlets for Viet Nam's products, promote international labour cooperation, increase tourism development and mobilize the overseas Vietnamese community's contributions.

Thirdly, to actively integrate into the world, first of all economic integration, in the spirit of turning to good account internal strengths, making fullest use of external resources and raising the efficiency of international cooperation.

While striving for this course, it is necessary to firmly maintain independence, self-reliance, socialist orientation, national interests, national security, socio-economic stability, national cultural identity and ecological environment.
In the immediate time, Viet Nam will increase its integration into ASEAN, APEC and ASEM as well as prepare for joining the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Fourthly, to closely combine bilateral and multilateral relations, the State's diplomacy and the external affairs of the Party, the National Assembly, mass and social organizations as well as to raise the efficiency and role of the Party's external relations and the people's diplomacy.

Mutual assistance and cooperation between foreign affairs, national security, defence and economic development are more necessary and important than ever before to form a front of all-people defence, security and foreign affairs, thus contributing to national socialist construction and defence.

Fifthly, to build a contingent of personnel with high political and professional qualifications to meet the demand of the new period and to fulfil the tasks set by the Party and Government for national industrialization and modernization as well as international integration.--VNA