Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem on December 30 chaired a meeting with the media to welcome the New Year.

In his speech, Deputy PM Khiem reviewed Vietnam’s implementation of the Party and State’s external policy in 2010 concerning political diplomacy, economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy.

Following the success of its rotating presidential term of the UN Security Council, in 2010, Vietnam continued to promote bilateral and multilateral relations and performed well its role as ASEAN Chair with a series of summits and ministerial meetings which launched initiatives for enhancing connectivity and solidarity among ASEAN nations to reach the goal of forming an ASEAN community by 2015.

Over the past year, Vietnam promoted the integration between ASEAN and East Asia, creating a new structure of regional security in which ASEAN plays a central role.

Vietnam’s relations with major countries, including Russia, the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China and the EU were elevated to a higher level with the signing of new cooperation agreements.

2010 also saw Vietnam’s significant achievements in cultural diplomacy with a lot of events such as the millennial anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, the 120^th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, the 65^th anniversary of National Day, the 80^th anniversary of the establishment of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 35^th anniversary of national unification.

Deputy PM Khiem attributed Vietnam’s success in foreign affairs over the past year to the proactive spirit and great efforts made by the Party, State and people.

Multilateral diplomatic activities have positively contributed to raising Vietnam’s status and role in the international arena and dealing with global issues such as nuclear security, crime control, climate change, sustainable development and Mekong River cooperation at international forums of the UN, APEC and ASEM.

In 2011, Vietnam will continue to pursue the open-door foreign policy to pursue a deeper international integration.

Entering 2011- the first year of the second decade of the 21^st century, we are expecting the 11^th National Party Congress which will see positive changes in Vietnam’s international integration in economics, culture, education and science,” said Mr Khiem. Deputy PM Khiem also praised the media’s role in disseminating foreign affairs-related information in 2010 and expressed his belief that in the new year, the media will continue to serve as an important foreign affairs channel to help the international audience get a better understanding of Vietnam’s international integration.