Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh speaks at the meeting on international integration in the fields of politics, security, and defence.  — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh on Thursday stated his appreciation for the results in international integration in politics, security, and defence in 2020.

The Deputy PM, head of the inter-sectoral steering committee on international integration in politics, security, and defence, chaired a meeting in Hà Nội to review the committee’s performance this year and launch tasks for next year.

He praised the efforts by ministries, departments and agencies in overcoming difficulties and turning challenges into opportunities, especially amid the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rapid, strong and unpredictable fluctuations in the world and regional situation.

They quickly adapted to the new situation and carried out foreign relations and international integration actively, flexibly and creatively, effectively implemented online diplomacy, medical diplomacy and international co-operation on epidemic prevention, contributing to deepening relations with other countries and partners, he said.

Thanks to their endeavours, he continued, the country successfully fulfilled its roles as ASEAN Chair 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the term 2020-2021, promoted co-operation and international integration in defence and security, and maintained sovereignty and territorial integrity, contributing to raising the prestige of Việt Nam in the international arena.

As the international environment in 2021 will continue to see rapid, complex and unpredictable changes, Deputy PM Minh directed the committee to concretise the policy on international integration outlined in the documents of the 13th Party National Congress and promote the pioneering role of foreign relations in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, making the most of external resources for national development.

Regarding major tasks for next year, Minh asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Defence to work with relevant ministries and agencies to promote forecasting and counselling work.

They should better adapt to the complex situation of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue deepening relations with other countries and enhancing multilateral diplomacy, implement results achieved during the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2020 and fulfil the role of a UNSC non-permanent member, he said.

They also need to promote international co-operation in dealing with non-traditional security challenges such as epidemics, climate change, water security and cybersecurity.

To fulfil the above tasks, ministries, departments and agencies should thoroughly grasp the documents of the upcoming 13th National Party Congress, increase the efficiency of co-ordination mechanisms, and step up the training and capacity building for the contingent of officials engaged in integration work, Minh concluded. — VNS