Vietnam Bolsters Bilateral Ties at ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung held separate bilateral meetings with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro, Vice-President of the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide, on the sidelines of the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-59) and related meetings in the Philippines on July 23. These meetings underscore Vietnam's commitment to diversifying its regional and international partnerships. A key focus for Vietnam is the deepening of ties between ASEAN and the European Union. The nation has been advocating for substantive and sustainable cooperation between ASEAN and the EU, aiming to bolster collaboration in areas such as economy, security, and climate change. Under its one-party system, Vietnam prioritizes economic growth, and maintaining robust international relations is crucial for supporting this development. Amidst complex relations with China, strengthening ties with European and North American nations, as well as within ASEAN, is seen as vital for stabilizing Vietnam's diplomatic standing. Discussions also touched upon enhancing cooperation with Canada, New Zealand, and Japan, with Vietnam expressing keen interest in advancing these relationships. This reflects Vietnam's foreign policy of building diverse partnerships rather than relying on a single bloc. Information Source: VietnamPlus English