Hanoi (VNA) – Prime MinisterPham Minh Chinh and his wife hosted a banquet in honour of the diplomatic corpsin Hanoi on January 9, ahead of the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) Festival.

The event saw the presence of seniorParty and State officials of Vietnam, along with foreign ambassadors, chargés d’affaires,and chief representatives of international organisations in Vietnam and theirspouses.

In his remarks, PM Chinh said underthe leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam led by General SecretaryNguyen Phu Trong, with solidarity, consensus, and efforts by the entire politicalsystem, as well as support from international friends, Vietnam has securedimportant and relatively comprehensive achievements.

He took this occasion to thankambassadors, chargés d’affaires, chief representatives of internationalorganisations, and the governments and people of other countries for theirsentiments and precious, practical, and effective assistance for Vietnam.

In 2023, peace, cooperation, anddevelopment will still be the main trend and also aspiration of each country. However,the path to that goal is not easy but requires efforts by each country and thewhole world. Therefore, it is necessary to uphold international solidarity,further tighten friendship and cooperation, and together effectively respond toglobal challenges in the “win-win” spirit, he underlined.

The PM pointed out the need to stay readyto jointly resolve challenges to the global economy, complex developments ofnon-traditional security issues, and geo-political and geo-economic frictions. Atthe same time, it is important to take timely policy solutions suitable foreach country on the basis of sharing, mutual support, and mutual understandingso as to bring about a better life for people.

He re-affirmed Vietnam’s consistentforeign policy of independence, self-reliance, being a good friend andtrustworthy partner of countries, being an active and responsible member of theinternational community, and actively contributing to common efforts towards abetter future of the region and the world.

The Government leader expressed hishope that the ambassadors, chargés d’affaires, and chief representatives ofinternational organisations in Vietnam will continue helping intensify Vietnam’srelations with their countries.

On behalf of the diplomatic corps,Palestinian Ambassador Saadi Salama, who is head of the diplomatic corps, extended New Year greetings to the Party andState leaders and people of Vietnam while hailing the country’s multifaceted achievementsin 2022.

He described 2023 as a special yearfor Vietnam as the country is set to keep working to fulfill economic developmenttasks, perfect regulations, and improve people’s lives amid unpredictabledevelopments in the world.

The diplomat expressed his belief that with itsresolve, mettle, foreign policy of peace, and constructive spirit, Vietnam willhave an important voice in further promoting the compliance with internationallaw, the maintenance of global peace and stability, cooperation amongcountries, multilateralism, and settlement of common challenges for the sake ofa liveable planet for future generations./.