Foreign policy contributes markedly to national renovation

In an article entitled "Vietnam and the Asia Pacific region: opportunities and challenges," Dr Joren Dosch said that the strategy of an independent and open foreign policy of diversification, multilateralisation and integration was an important component of the renovation policy put forth after the sixth Party Congress initiated the renovation process in December 1986.

Dr Dosch, the author of around 40 books and articles o­n international relations and political life in Southeast Asia, recalled that in August 1998, the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee' s Political Bureau issued resolution No. 13 o­n a foreign policy of diversification and multilateralisation, which continued to develop until the seventh Party Congress announced that Vietnam wanted to become friends with all nations in the world.

As the economy was seriously affected by war, the Vietnamese Government was conscious of taking opportunities to re-establish international relations in order to return the country to a respected position in the international arena and contribute to its development.

Dr Dosch wrote that Vietnam's new foreign policies helped its diplomatic relations develop rapidly. No nation in Asia and the Pacific has attained such speed in diversification of diplomatic ties as Vietnam since the end of the cold war. Vietnam had diplomatic ties with 23 countries in 1989, increasing to 167 in 2004.

1995 marked three great successes for Vietnam: accession to ASEAN, official establishment of diplomatic ties with the US and signing of a framework agreement with the EU.

The role of Vietnam in the ASEAN, APEC, the Mekong Sub-region and the ASEM and as an observer of the WTO were vivid examples. The Vietnamese Government submitted many important initiatives at multilateral forums in Asia and the Pacific.

The foreign policies, changes, which took place successfully and rapidly, contributed to Vietnam becoming full member of the ASEAN sooner than predicted, Dr Dosch said.

Political forces engaged in diplomatic operations expanded. The influence of the National Assembly in policy making was improved, the law became more decisive and ministers took increased responsibility for their leadership.

Dr Dosch wrote that the success of economic restructuring led to the appearance of entrepreneurs, who mobilised the Party and administration to speed up the country's integration into the world economy and apply favourable trade and investment regulations for private enterprises. (VNA)