Remarks by Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh at New Year meeting with Diplomatic Corps

SPEECH

BY DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS PHẠM BÌNH MINH

At the Meeting with the Diplomatic Corps to celebrate the New Year of the Rat 2020

(Ha Noi, 14 January 2020)

----------

Your Excellencies Ambassadors, Charges d'Affaires and Representatives from International organizations in Viet Nam,

Distinguished guests,

Another new spring is returning to Viet Nam, coursing through her every land.

It is in this color of the returning spring that I am deeply honored to welcome Your Excellencies Ambassadors, Charges d'Affaires and Representatives from international organizations, honorary consuls and spouses, and the distinguished guests representing Vietnamese agencies to our meeting of friendship today: to bid farewell to the Year of the Pig and greet the Year of the Rat.

I have just returned from the Open Debate at the United Nations Security Council, during which I have met many an international friend near and far.

What I felt very clearly is that despite the instability and tension here and there, peace, cooperation and development still prevail.

Multilateral institutions and international law remain well-respected.

Dialogue rather than confrontation, and cooperation rather than rivalry, are still the mainstream.

Mankind is ever moving towards a better and fairer world of more sustainable development.

In this world, the Asia-Pacific and the ASEAN Community remain the bright spot, in their dynamic growth and their leadership in economic integration.   

Ladies and gentlemen,

We have had an immensely memorable Year of the Pig 2019. For the second consecutive year our economic growth exceeded 7%. Foreign trade turnover broke the record, at $517 billion. Inbound international visitors was over 18 million. Viet Nam accelerated the implementation and official signing of new-generation FTAs such as CPTPP và EVFTA.

These important milestones in economic and social development, international integration and foreign relations have changed the face of Viet Nam, tangibly improved the quality of life for our people, and further elevated Viet Nam's standing among the world.

I trust that you are also sharing in the joy and pride of our 96 million citizens and 4 million overseas Vietnamese at the progress that our nation is making.

You have been our companions over the past year. You are, then, no stranger to the fact that these achievements owe themselves to the determination for reform, the aspiration and the tireless effort of the Vietnamese Government and people. It is also by the strong support, effective cooperation and invaluable support from our friends and partners in the international community that these outcomes were made possible.

On behalf of the Vietnamese government and people, allow me to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Your Excellencies Ambassadors, Charges d'Affaires and Representatives from international organizations for your effort to cultivate and advocate the collaboration between Viet Nam and our partners across the board.

Allow me to convey through you my word of gratitude to the Governments and peoples of your respective countries and the international organizations you represent for that invaluable support and effective cooperation given to us in the past.

I hope that this new year shall see you continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us, to further bolster that partnership in all areas between us, constructive and trusted as it is.

Ladies and gentlemen,

They year 2020 shall be immensely significant to Viet Nam. We shall celebrate our 75th National Day, the 90th anniversary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, and the 130th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved leader of the Vietnamese people. We shall also be assuming the tremendous responsibilities as the ASEAN Chair, the Chair of AIPA 41, and a Non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. These are both our pride and an enormous duty that the international community vests into Viet Nam.

To fulfill these missions, Viet Nam shall work alongside our friends and partners on a number of key priorities:

One, to champion the centrality of the United Nations, and uphold multilateralism and international law;

Two, to promote trade liberalization, and economic integration and connectivity;

Three, to make more active contributions to the settlement of regional and global challenges;

And four, to realize the ASEAN theme of “cohesive and responsive”, accelerate the building of a strong and united ASEAN Community that would continue to play a central role in and make important contribution to world peace, security and development.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Vietnamese folk culture holds that 2020 is the Year of the Golden Rat, a symbol of affluence, prosperity and fertility. It is also the starting of a new circle of the Eastern zodiac as per Oriental calendars.

Let us all hope that the new spring of 2020 shall bring about a new beginning, peace, serenity and good things to every nation, every man and woman, and every household.

Let us raise our glass in this hope:

- To world peace and prosperity!

- To the ever stronger and friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and other countries, and regional international organizations!

- To the good health, happiness and success for all present here today and your loved ones!

Thank you for your kind attention./.