From left to right, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Vo Van Thuong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh attend the National Conference on Foreign Affairs, Ha Noi, December 14, 2021 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

This is the first national-level conference on foreign affairs, which aims to evaluate diplomatic outcomes as well as international and regional situation over the past five years in order to work out major tasks and measures in the upcoming time.

Addressing the event, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong underlined the need to be sharp-minded and to overcome the old way of thinking in the diplomatic sector.

The sector needs to build new position and stature in relations with countries at both bilateral and multilateral aspects, the Party chief said.

Regarding the issues of core interests and strategic importance for Viet Nam, Nguyen said the country needs to raise stronger voice and demonstrate more positive diplomatic position, firstly in the region.

He demanded profound understanding and righteous implementation of the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, multi-lateralization and diversification of external relations, protective and active international integration in the interest of the nation.

Nguyen called for expanding and improving the efficiency of diplomatic activities, especially economic, cultural, political, security, and defense cooperation with other countries.

He also asked for improving the quality of strategic studies and forecast, with a focus on meticulously evaluating major policy shifts and trends in relations between major powers.