The National Assembly’s Committee for External Affairs convened its 6th plenum in Hanoi on May 11 to review the Party and State’s foreign affairs so far this year and set major tasks for the remaining months.

Participants noted that in the context of globally complicated developments, the Party and State’s external affairs had made positive progress both bilaterally and multilaterally.

In its capacity as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Vietnam has made constructive and responsible contributions to dealing with international issues, proving its rising prestige and position in the global arena.

The legislators held that Vietnam’s friendly and co-operative ties with China, the US, Japan, the European Union (EU), as well as traditional friends such as Laos, Cambodia and other potential partners had been further expanded.

Foreign affairs workers have been instrumental to promoting economic relations and boosting sub-regional co-operation, particularly the Greater Mekong Sub-region, and calling on nations to recognise Vietnam as a market economy.

In addition, the country has paid more attention to cultural diplomacy and the protection of Vietnamese citizens abroad, they said, adding that the NA external activities have helped the country to beef up international co-operation in the fields of economics, trade and investment.

The law-makers focused in-depth discussions on matters regarding overseas Vietnamese, including visa exemptions and permits to buy houses in Vietnam and to hold dual nationality.

They agreed that it is vital to study carefully global issues such as climate change, inflation and price fluctuations to assess their impact on the country and recommend concrete solutions to the Party and State. (VNA)