Documents of the 13th National Congress: Vietnam steadfastly pursues an independent foreign policy.

Commenting on the draft document for the 13th National Congress, Professor Pham Quang Minh, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi), stated that, compared to the 12th term, the theme of the draft document for the 13th National Congress retains the element of "firmly protecting the Fatherland, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment" and develops the remaining elements of the 12th National Congress theme.

Preserving a peaceful environment based on international law.

Professor Pham Quang Minh commented: The continuity of the draft document for the 13th National Congress shows that Vietnam desires a peaceful environment and actively participates in building and maintaining a peaceful environment based on international law. Looking back, it can be seen that Vietnam has proactively and actively worked with member states of the United Nations to address important global issues related to peace, security, development, and the promotion of human rights based on international law.

Prof. Dr. Pham Quang Minh - Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (Vietnam National University, Hanoi)

“In 2020, Vietnam, as the ASEAN Chair, emphasized the theme of ‘Cohesion and Proactive Adaptation.’ Cohesion here doesn’t just mean countries connecting with each other, but we must connect with other countries, identify limitations and disagreements so that all parties understand and trust each other to build a peaceful environment. If previously we were a new member of ASEAN, now we are in a pioneering position,” said Mr. Pham Quang Minh.

Professor Pham Quang Minh analyzed that the two main schools of thought influencing international relations in all regions of the world are realism and liberalism. Realism emphasizes military strength, military alliances, and stresses sovereignty and the role of the State. Liberalism, on the other hand, emphasizes international law, organizations, institutions, and mechanisms.

Clearly, during the Cold War, realism played a crucial role because military conflict was decisive. Since 1989, the Cold War has ended, replaced by a trend towards cooperation, development, and the leveraging of economic power. This has led to the involvement of not only the state in international affairs but also non-governmental organizations, multinational corporations, and social movements. Conflicts and disagreements are resolved through diplomacy and peaceful means; waging war is only a last resort when negotiation is completely impossible.

“To maintain a peaceful environment, countries must abide by international law. Today, the legal aspect is very important, requiring all countries, large or small, to comply. Why do countries now participate in international organizations? Because international organizations all have rules of the game; if you are a member, you must abide by those rules and regulate your behavior. Anyone who fails to regulate their behavior is in violation and will be condemned,” said Mr. Pham Quang Minh.

Vietnam's position and influence have been enhanced on the international stage.

Commenting on the results of foreign affairs work during the 12th Party Congress term, Professor Pham Quang Minh stated that never before has the country's strength and position, and Vietnam's political prestige, been as high as it is today.

Amidst the constantly changing international and regional situation, both politically and economically, our Party has effectively implemented the spirit of the 12th National Congress Resolution on foreign affairs, maintaining a peaceful and stable environment; Vietnam's prestige and position have been enhanced internationally, and it has been elected to international organizations, including playing an important role in the ASEAN Community and being elected for the second time as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 term; bilateral relations between Vietnam and major countries have made good progress.

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (right, second row, left), rejoiced after the voting results showed Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term with a record high number of votes, 192 out of 193 votes (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper).

In particular, during the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam's success in controlling the disease is being discussed and analyzed by international media as a model for other countries to emulate. "The fight against the pandemic has demonstrated our strength, with a model of combating the pandemic using the most limited resources. It is the solidarity and unity from top to bottom that has helped us succeed," said Professor Pham Quang Minh.

The Rector of the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities believes that the successes in foreign affairs during the 12th Party Congress term continue to create momentum for socio-economic development, and strengthen national defense and security. Global and regional developments have brought both opportunities and challenges, creating new demands on our country's foreign affairs. Therefore, during the 13th Party Congress term, it is necessary to implement foreign affairs activities in a comprehensive, creative, and effective manner, proactively and actively integrating into the international community in a comprehensive and profound way.

Diplomacy must be strengthened in all forums.

Vietnam is a country that has suffered greatly from conflicts, especially the resistance wars against France and the United States, which have shown Vietnam that the damage is immense, not only in terms of human lives and property but also in the division of people's trust. Therefore, the two most important tasks of foreign policy are firmly protecting the homeland and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, which are not only tasks in the past but also tasks for the present and the years to come.

According to the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the world and regional situation is undergoing rapid and unpredictable changes, creating new challenges and demands for our country's foreign affairs. First and foremost, we need to strengthen and consolidate the position of ASEAN, ensuring that major powers support ASEAN. At the same time, we must persistently pursue an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy; multilateralize and diversify our foreign relations; and leverage international forums to enhance our interests.

“Over the past 30 years of reform, we have reformed broadly; at this stage, we must reform deeply, carefully considering how to move towards substance. Among strategic partners, we need to review, strengthen, and select the advantages of each strategic partner to propose and implement appropriate content and aspects, ensuring cooperation is substantive and avoids formality and ostentation. We must make strategic choices, select partners, and leverage each partner individually, rather than spreading ourselves too thin. We need partners who are committed and have strategic agreements,” Mr. Minh emphasized.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, according to Mr. Pham Quang Minh, the most important task ahead is for Vietnam, together with ASEAN and China, to continue negotiations to finalize the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. This Code of Conduct, with its binding and legal nature, will help the parties resolve disagreements. At the same time, Vietnam needs to strengthen its external communication efforts, enhancing its voice on the international stage, from official statements by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the voices of scholars both domestically and internationally, focusing on publishing more scientific research that contributes to the struggle to protect maritime sovereignty and territorial integrity using intellect and international law.

Diplomacy must strengthen its activities on the international stage, in all forums, to garner international support because diplomacy is the gong that helps the world understand Vietnam correctly, fully, and quickly. External communication needs to be multifaceted and objective; it must leverage all international forums, focusing on the intellectual content of external communication, and having a strategic external communication plan. Building trust and creating consensus within ASEAN through various channels such as education and tourism is crucial. Every effort must be made to create consensus within ASEAN on the South China Sea issue, ensuring that ASEAN considers the South China Sea a common issue for the entire region, not just for the countries with disputed sovereignty. Only on the basis of consensus can ASEAN have a common voice and create strength, because ASEAN's strength lies in the very principle of consensus that has existed for over 50 years.

According to VOV.VN