The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ virtual conference on promoting the implementation of economic diplomacy. VNA photo

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Monday attended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ virtual conference on promoting the implementation of economic diplomacy serving socio-economic development in the last half of 2023.

The event gathered participants from the ministry’s headquarters in Hà Nội and 94 Vietnamese representative offices overseas.

In his opening remarks, PM Chính praised the ministry’s and representative offices’ close coordination with other ministries, sectors, localities, and enterprises to actively, proactively, and effectively carry out external relations tasks, including economic diplomacy.

He expressed his delight at the successful implementation of the vaccine diplomacy, which has contributed to Việt Nam’s pandemic control, early reopening, and socio-economic recovery and development.

The Government leader pointed to a number of lessons for the diplomacy sector, including active, positive and timely implementation of policies, orientations, resolutions and programmes of the Party and State, and keeping a close eye on the situation to give flexible responses.

It would be necessary to stay firm with principles and flexible in responding, placing the nation’s interests at top priority; while maintaining good control of the situation and proposing solutions to overcome challenges to fulfil the country’s goals, he said.

Another lesson that the PM highlighted was upholding responsibility of diplomatic officials, fostering the coordination among ministries, sectors, localities and businesses, and promoting advantages from the relations between Việt Nam and particular countries to lift up the relations to a new height, focusing on economic diplomacy.

The Government leader recommended participants focus on discussing specific solutions to boost growth drivers through attracting high-quality investment; diversify markets, products, and supply chains; fully tap traditional markets and expand potential ones; accelerate the signing of free trade agreements (FTAs); and promote Vietnamese goods in Halal markets.

He also highlighted the importance of connecting provinces and cities, representative agencies abroad, and businesses to make the most of every opportunity and demonstrate the highest sense of responsibility for the sake of the nation, the development of the country and the happiness of the people. — VNS