Cambodian newspaper praises Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy

The front page article described 2017 as one of the most successful years of Vietnam’s foreign affairs which were implemented actively and drastically in both bilateral and multilateral aspects, serving strategic targets set by the Vietnamese Party and State. 

Vietnam excellently hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Year 2017, especially the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in the central city of Da Nang, thus affirming the country’s role in a global-level event, the article wrote.

With the attendance of all leaders from APEC member economies and the largest number of delegates, entrepreneurs and reporters, the APEC events turned Vietnam into the centre of attention in the world, helping to promoting the country’s image and improving its position and prestige in the international arena, the article stressed. 

The APEC Year 2017 vividly showed that Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy has been lifted to a new height, thus effectively protecting and promoting the country’s strategic interests related to security and development, as well as its reputation as a responsible member of the international community. 

The success of the APEC Year 2017 created a new perception, faith, strength and momentum for Vietnam’s stronger international integration in the coming time, it said. 

The article also praised Vietnam’s great efforts to bolster and deepen its relations with countries in the region and powers in the world.

In 2017, Vietnam’s senior officials paid 18 visits to foreign countries and attended eight multilateral international meetings, during which they held hundreds of bilateral meetings with leaders of countries around the world. At the same time, Vietnam welcomed 36 heads of state and heads of governments on their visits to the country.

Through anniversary celebrations in relations with Laos and Cambodia as well as visits to Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Singapore, Vietnam strongly improved political trust and effectively boosted practical cooperation with regional countries, it said, adding that Vietnam’s relations with its key partners such as China, Russia, the US, Japan, and India also recorded fruitful development in both politics and economy. 

According to the article, Vietnam worked hard to foster international economic integration. The country joined member countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement in pursuing discussions towards a deal pact, which is from now on called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and promote negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement. It also joined hands with the European Union (EU)’s member nations to accelerate the official signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Vietnam’s efforts and determination during the year contributed to enhancing its economic relations with foreign partners. The country reached or exceeded all economic targets set for the year, with total export-import turnover hitting 425 billion USD – the highest amount ever, the article noted.