• Diplomatic sector unveils future plan

Mr Trong was speaking at a December 23 working session with the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations in Hanoi.

Reporting on the implementation of the commission’s tasks, Hoang Binh Quan, Head of the Commission, said it has made great contributions to the Party’s and State’s foreign affairs and increasing Vietnam’s role in the international arena.

However, he said, there remain difficulties in its operation such as the lack of personnel, which leads to ineffective research and consultancy activities.

General Secretary Trong underlined the important role and contribution of the Commission in the Party’s external affairs, which facilitates the Party Politburo and Secretariat’s management and direction.

He also pointed out the shortcomings in the operations of the Commission, especially the inactive consultancy and strategic forecast.

The Party chief analysed advantages and challenges in the current global context and asked the Commission to make greater efforts to provide the Party with strategic proposals and work closely with relevant ministries and agencies to improve the effectiveness of people-to-people diplomacy.

The General Secretary expressed his belief that the Commission will uphold its tradition to fulfill its mission assigned by the Party and State.