CPV: Going through 2009 with a lot of difficulties and challenges, the Party, State and people’s foreign work achieved impressive results, contributing to an increase in Vietnam’s status in the international arena. Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper selects Vietnam’s ten outstanding foreign events of 2009.

 

1. Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh paid official visits to Japan, April 19-22, Australia and New Zealand, September 6-12, and Cambodia, September 17-19. These visits aimed to increase high-ranking dialogues between Vietnam and foreign countries, reinforce mutual understanding and friendship between Vietnam and people of foreign countries, encouraging the support of foreign countries for national industrialization and modernization, increasing the relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and ruling and political parties in foreign countries, and confirming the Vietnamese Party’s leadership position, thus contributing to an increase in Vietnam’s international status.

 

2. Vietnam successfully realized the role of a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC by the 62nd session of the United Nations General Assembly with a high number of votes in the first round showing the appreciation of the international community for Vietnam’s achievements in the renewal process as well as its increased position and expectations from the international community for contributions to UNSC work. Over the past two years, Vietnam successfully realized the work as a non-permanent member of the UNSC when it actively participated, contributed, cooperated and cleverly dealt with issues of differences between members, fulfilled the tasks set by the Party, State and Government, and contributed initiatives to UNSC activities, including the maintaining of world peace and security, which was praised by the international community.

 

3. Vietnam was chosen to become ASEAN Chairman in 2010 with the theme of “Towards the ASEAN Community: from vision to action”. The 15th ASEAN Summit which convened in late October 2009 in Thailand announced Vietnam’s selection as chairman of ASEAN in 2010. Vietnam’s focus in its chairmanship year is to contribute to increased unity and links in ASEAN, bring ASEAN Charter into life, effectively build and implement the road to the ASEAN Community, deepen cooperative relationships between ASEAN and its partners, thus furthering the role and position of ASEAN. The theme “Towards the ASEAN Community: from vision to action” shows the 2010 targets will be achieved by specific actions.

 

4. The first meeting for overseas Vietnamese was successfully organized from November 21-23. The meeting vividly reflected the will and aspiration of nearly 4 million overseas Vietnamese all over the world in uniting to build a stronger community and forward the interests of the homeland. The meeting was an important landmark in overseas Vietnamese work of the Party and State. This was the first meeting with the participation of nearly 900 delegates from 50 countries and territories and nearly 500 delegates from domestic ministries and agencies across 51 provinces and cities nationwide to build up a strong and united community, promote the nation’s cultural and traditional identities in foreign countries, and unite to contribute to national development.

 

5. Vietnam successfully hosted the ninth ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM9) in May 25-26 in Hanoi under the theme “Forging a Closer Asia- European Partnership to Address the Financial and Economic Crisis and Other Global Challenges”. This was the first Foreign Ministers’ Meeting since ASEM membership was expanded from 26 to 45. Vietnam’s hosting of the 9th FMM was of important significance as this was a chance for Asian and European countries to understand more about Vietnam’s open foreign policy of diversification, multi-lateralisation of international relations, and a chance for Vietnam to introduce its achievements in the renewal process as well as its active contributions to ASEM and its expansion of multilateral cooperation with ASEM members.

 

6. The Vietnam 2009 Consultative Group concluded the year with the largest committed amount of official development assistance in 2010 of USD 8.063 billion, including USD 1.4 billion from non-refundable funds and USD 6.6 in loans. The World Bank became the largest sponsor for Vietnam with a commitment of nearly USD 2.5 billion, followed by Japan with USD 1.64 billion, and the European Union with over USD 1 billion. The Asian Development Bank earmarked USD 1.479 billion for Vietnam. The sponsors’ commitments showed their support for Vietnam’s development policies in the renewal process and international integration.

 

7. Vietnam presented a report on the limits of Vietnam’s continental shelf 200 nautical miles beyond its baselines to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf on May 7. Earlier, on May 6, Vietnam and Malaysia coordinated to submit to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf a joint report on the continental shelves of both countries beyond their baselines. The submission of reports aimed to implement regulations relating to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Based on a comprehensive geological and geomorphological study, relevant agencies built up a report on national limits of Vietnam’s continental shelf in the northern part of the East Sea and worked with Malaysia to build up a joint report on the southern part of the sea, submitting the Limits of the Continental Shelf to the UN Commission on schedule.

 

8. Vietnam and China concluded 35 years of negotiations on land borders by signing the protocol on the border demarcation and marking, the Agreement on Border Management Regulations and the Agreement on Border Gates and Border Gate Management Regulations, creating a foundation for building up a long-term peaceful, friendly, and stable border line between the two countries. These three documents will provide a basis for relevant agencies of the two countries to effectively and scientifically manage their borders.

 

9. Vietnam’s report on human rights in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations was adopted by the United Nations Human Rights Council. A full 192 members of the council participated in the session to adopt the report. During the session, Vietnamese representatives confirmed its highest target to build a “rich people, strong nation, equitable, democratic and advanced society”, to reflect human rights in Vietnam.

 

10. The third Asian Indoor Games “For a Rising Asia” which took place in Vietnam from October 30 to November 8 made favorable impressions on foreign tourists and friends as well as providing an opportunity to confirm Vietnam’s ability to host international events. Vietnam ranked second with 42 gold medals and crossed big sports powers like Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Iran. Successful hosting of the third AIG in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City strengthened Vietnam’s campaign to host the ASIAD games in 2019.

(CPV)