Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (left) and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh together launched a ceremony of opening the foreign affairs ministry's exhibition room. The portrait is late President Hồ Chí Minh, the first foreign minister.of Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam’s diplomatic sector has left an impression on international partners through ‘COVID-19 diplomacy’ and ‘online diplomacy’ during the pandemic, demonstrating the country’s humanitarian tradition and showing international solidarity in containing the outbreak, said Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

He made the statement while attending the 75th founding anniversary of the Vietnamese diplomatic sector and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ emulation and patriotism congress on Thursday.

Hailing the diplomatic sector’s contributions to the COVID-19 fight, he said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had organised repatriation flights, many of which flew to COVID-19 epicentres, to bring back nearly 30,000 Vietnamese citizens and support Vietnamese communities overseas.

The ministry has also brought thousands of foreign experts, managers and investors to Việt Nam to continue their work. The ministry has donated made-in-Việt Nam medical equipment to 49 countries and two international organisations.

“The assistance has demonstrated the humanitarian tradition of the Vietnamese people and been highly appreciated by international friends,” he said.

In terms of online diplomacy, PM Phúc praised the diplomatic sector for organising more than 30 high-level events in the form of teleconference since February, including phone talks between top Vietnamese officials with leaders of other countries and big international organisations.

Looking back at the 75-year-history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, PM Phúc said late President Hồ Chí Minh laid the foundation for the ministry’s establishment and also served as the first Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs.

“Over the past 75 years, the diplomatic sector has gained achievements, making contributions to the country’s liberation and the building of the Socialist Republic nation,” Phúc said.

The diplomacy on the negotiation table turned Việt Nam's victory on the battlefield into a political victory, leading to the signing of the 1954 Geneva Agreement and the 1973 Paris Agreement.

After the wars, the diplomatic sector made contributions to restoring the war-torn economy. During the deep global integration period, external activities have played a pioneering role in strengthening the peaceful and stable environment and creating favourable conditions for building and protecting the nation, attracting sources for development and improving the country’s position.

From a country besieged and embargoed, Việt Nam has established diplomatic relations with 189 UN member countries and set up strategic partnerships and comprehensive partnerships with 30 countries including all powers, 17 out of G20 countries and all ASEAN states.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has made important contributions to promoting Việt Nam’s economic international co-operation, especially Việt Nam’s membership in the World Trade Organisation and signing of free trade agreements, he said.

The sector’s success has also been demonstrated through Việt Nam’s taking over of international responsibilities such as ASEAN 2020 Chair, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and Chair of 41st ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

PM Phúc urged the sector to deepen Việt Nam’s diplomatic relations with partners towards efficient, stable and sustainable co-operation, especially to promote economic diplomacy and create connections between Vietnamese localities and enterprises with new partners and attract foreign direct investment.

The sector was tasked with boosting multilateral diplomacy, protecting the nation’s independence, sovereignty, integrity of territory and islands as well as promoting Việt Nam’s landscapes and people to the world.

The same day PM Phúc attended the ceremony of opening an exhibition room with portraits of ministers of foreign affairs. — VNS