Minister of Foreign Affairs: Pham Binh Minh

Minh announced this shift of emphasis following a meeting held by the National Assembly in Hanoi on August 3, where he was promoted to Minister of Foreign Affairs.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will turn strategic partnerships, which Viet Nam has established with a number of countries, into concrete action while establishing strategic partnership with other countries.

Viet Nam will participate in resolving issues of not only national concern but also of international concern, in an effort to maintain peace for development and increase the nation’s international image, Minh said.

Asked about the Ministry of Foreign Affairs's policy towards the East Sea issue, he made it clear that diplomacy was responsible for contributing to national defence, including the task of firmly safeguarding the national sovereignty. To maintain peace, stability and promote relations with other countries would be the most effective measure to defend the national sovereignty.

The newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs also pledged to promote the national prestige in the international arena, which has constantly increased in the recent past. He cited Viet Nam’s World Trade Organisation (WTO) membership, its success in hosting Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum Leaders’ Meeting and competently fulfilling the role of ASEAN chairmanship and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council./.