The accession to APEC on November 14, 1998 marked a big step forward in Vietnam’s foreign policy of door opening, multilateralisation, diversification and international economic integration, which created a driving force for the country’s renewal and integration during the past two decades.
The 10th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Malaysia in 1998, during which Vietnam, Russia and Peru were admitted to APEC. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The accession to APEC on November14, 1998 marked a big step forward in Vietnam’s foreign policy of door opening,multilateralisation, di🧔versi🉐fication and international economic integration,which created a driving force for the country’s renewal and integration duringthe past two decades.
This is the assessment of Deputy Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Pham Binh Minh in an article titled “20 years in APEC: from a strategicvision to Vietnam’s imprints” on the occasion of Vietnam’s 20-year membershipin the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. According to Deputy PM Minh, as the leading economiccooperation mechanism in Asia-Pacific, a region home to global economic,commercial and technological hubs, APEC has brought various benefits to Vietnamin terms of strategy, economics, trade and investment, thus contributing to thecountry’s comprehensive development. First of all, it is noteworthy that half of Vietnam’s 28strategic, comprehensive and key economic and trade partners are members ofAPEC. Together, they account for 75 percent of the country’s total foreigntrade, 78 percent of direct investment and 79 percent of foreign tourists. Inaddition, 14 out of 16 free trade agreements (FTAs) that Vietnam has signed oris negotiating, concerns 17 APEC members. Second, APEC membership has significantly enhanced Vietnam’sposition in the international arena. As an APEC member, Vietnam has an equalvoice with many world leading economies in the building and formation ofregional economic and commercial rules and regulations. Third, the APEC forum is an important channel for Vietnam topromote bilateral ties, helping deepen ties with partners, consolidating thepeaceful environment for national development. Fourth, joining APEC and carrying out commitments on dooropening for trade and investment and business facilitation has helped pushreform and the completion of institutions and policies in the country towardsmeeting international commitments. It also creates the prerequisite for Vietnamto participate in larger playing fields with higher-level commitments such asthe World Trade Organisation (WTO) and FTAs, including new-generation FTAs withhigh standards. The implementation of international commitment also gives thecountry the leverage to realise its resolve to build a facilitating andaction-oriented government of integrity to serve the people and businesses. Fifth, as an APEC member, Vietnam has received help toenhance its capacity of international integration. The implementation of commitments,synchronisation of policies, and APEC’s support projects have helped improvethe international integration capacity for ministries, sectors, localadministrations and enterprises, as well as deepen the knowledge and experienceof officials involved in international integration. Lastly, APEC brings great potential and opportunities forVietnamese enterprises in accessing markets and advanced technology, favourableinvestment and business environment and convenient transport, and seekingstrategic partners. Deputy PM Minh highlighted Vietnam’s active role in APEC,thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and economic connectivity inthe region, maintaining APEC’s role as the leading economic cooperation mechanismin Asia-Pacific. Vietnam is among a few APEC members having hosted APECsummits twice, in 2006 and 2017. It is also among the most active members in proposing ideasand projects, authoring more than 100 projects in various fields. The country has held many positions in APEC committees andworking groups. Its business community also actively participates in and makesmany recommendations to APEC. The Deputy PM affirmed that APEC will continue to be one ofthe main points in Vietnam’s foreign policy in the current development period. “Vietnam will continue to accompany APEC in the nextdevelopment period, join hands in building a strategic vision on anAsian-Pacific community of peace, stability, dynamism, innovation, andprosperity,” he stressed. -VNA
This year has been significant for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) partnership, with the forum focusing on promoting regional and global economic integration.
The Asia-Pacific, and in particular the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), has remained a focus of Vietnam’s foreign policy, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said at the 30th Ministerial Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on November 15.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh met with many foreign officials from members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum at the 30th Ministerial Meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on November 15.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum on November 15 adopted new guidelines on the quality of infrastructure development and investment, with all 21 economies agreeing to take into consideration recipients’ ability to pay back loans for such funding.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
The 10th APEC Ministerial Meeting in Malaysia in 1998, during which Vietnam, Russia and Peru were admitted to APEC. (Photo: VNA) 
