National Assembly's foreign affairs have contributed to the country's foreign affairs achievements over the past 80 years.

(Chinhphu.vn) - On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic sector, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man answered the press about the contribution of the National Assembly's foreign affairs to the country's foreign affairs achievements over the past 80 years.

Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man

Mr. Chairman of the National Assembly , in each historical period, what are the typical foreign affairs activities of the National Assembly, leaving a special mark, contributing to enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international arena over the past 80 years?

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man: During 80 years of formation and development, under the leadership of the Party, the National Assembly of Vietnam has continuously grown, increasingly performing its function as the highest representative body of the people, the highest state power body of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, making an important contribution to the effective implementation of Vietnam's foreign policy. Parliamentary diplomacy has become an important channel, supplementing Party diplomacy and State diplomacy, creating a combined strength for modern Vietnamese diplomacy and enhancing Vietnam's international position.

The history of the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities is closely linked to the work of protecting and building the revolutionary government of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. During the period 1945-1975, the formation period of parliamentary diplomacy, the foreign affairs activities of the National Assembly during this period bore a strong revolutionary imprint, laying the political-legal foundation and international relations for the later period of professional and comprehensive development. During the period 1975-1986, Vietnam entered a period of national recovery and reconstruction under conditions of embargo and economic blockade from the West. The 6th National Assembly (1976-1981) was the first National Assembly of a unified Vietnam, marking a major shift in institutions and organizational structure. During this term, the National Assembly decided to join the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and in April 1979, was officially admitted as a member of the IPU. Joining the IPU marks an important step in the international integration of the Vietnamese National Assembly, closely linked to the cause of national liberation, national reunification and socialist construction.

After the country entered the Doi Moi period, the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities continued to be promoted, consolidated and expanded, contributing to promoting the role and position of the Vietnamese National Assembly in the international arena. To date, the Vietnamese National Assembly has established parliamentary relations with more than 140 countries around the world, participating as members of most international and regional parliamentary organizations, such as IPU, AIPA, APPF, APF... On the multilateral level, the outstanding mark of the Vietnamese National Assembly in recent times is the chairing of important multilateral conferences of international and regional stature such as the 132nd IPU General Assembly (2015), the 26th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 26 in 2018) and the 41st AIPA General Assembly (2020), the 9th IPU Global Young Parliamentarians Conference (2023), the APF Executive Board Meeting and the Francophone Parliamentary Cooperation Forum on sustainable agriculture, food security and climate change response (January 2025)...

Originating from the position of the National Assembly as the highest representative body of the people, the highest state power body, the National Assembly's foreign affairs are both state and deeply people's. National Assembly foreign affairs play a connecting role, taking advantage of the advantages of the three pillars in implementing foreign affairs. National Assembly foreign affairs activities, together with Party foreign affairs, State diplomacy, and people's diplomacy, have maximized each individual strength, diversified and deepened foreign relations between Vietnam and its partners, creating opportunities to promote cooperation in many important fields such as economy, culture, education, etc. It can be affirmed that National Assembly foreign affairs, representing the will and aspirations of the people, have contributed to spreading the message of a dynamic, friendly and responsible Vietnam, proactive and positive, thereby enhancing Vietnam's prestige and position in the international arena.

Mr. Chairman of the National Assembly, how has participating in and proactively contributing to international and regional parliamentary forums such as IPU, APPF, AIPA... helped Vietnam make its mark and promote national interests?

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man: The participation of the Vietnamese National Assembly in multilateral parliamentary forums is a practical activity to implement Directive No. 25-CT/TW of the Secretariat on promoting and enhancing multilateral diplomacy until 2030. The mark of the Vietnamese National Assembly is clearly shown in Vietnam's proactiveness and sense of responsibility in the process of participating in dialogue, building consensus as well as proposing initiatives. This contributes to enhancing the position and image of the Vietnamese National Assembly in particular and Vietnam in general in the international community.

In addition, this is also an important channel for Vietnam to promote and protect national interests. Through multilateral parliamentary activities, we can gain international consensus and support for strategic issues directly related to the country's interests such as maintaining peace, security, sustainable development, responding to climate change, ensuring food security, water security, etc. At the same time, Vietnam can introduce its innovation achievements and development experiences, thereby promoting the image of a peaceful, stable, dynamic and responsible country.

Not only stopping at "participation", the Vietnamese National Assembly has also taken on the role of host many times. The success in hosting and running international and regional inter-parliamentary events... has affirmed Vietnam's capacity, mettle and proactive integration, helping Vietnam to be more proactive in building rules, standards and solving common regional and global issues. Vietnam's initiatives on climate change and water security have been recognized, demonstrating Vietnam's responsible contributions to the international community, thereby creating a strong impression at parliamentary forums, strengthening the international community's trust in Vietnam's role and responsibility.

Could the National Assembly Chairman please tell us how the role and contribution of the National Assembly in the legislative work and supreme supervision of foreign affairs (through ratification of international treaties, building legal institutions in the field of foreign affairs, supervision of foreign affairs activities, etc.) are demonstrated?

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man : The Vietnamese National Assembly, as the highest state power body, has clearly demonstrated its important role and contribution in the legislative work and supreme supervision of foreign affairs. First of all, in the legislative field, the National Assembly has promulgated, amended and perfected legal regulations related to foreign affairs, ensuring consistency and unity, creating a solid legal basis for the implementation of the foreign policy of the Party and State.

Second, the National Assembly has reviewed and ratified many important agreements of strategic significance, from new-generation free trade agreements, international conventions on human rights, to regional and global cooperation agreements. Through this, the National Assembly affirmed Vietnam's responsibility in seriously implementing international commitments, while ensuring that ratified treaties are consistent with national and ethnic interests. The ratification of many large, new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has created a solid legal framework for international integration, attracting foreign investment, expanding export markets, and effectively supporting the Government's economic diplomacy.

Along with that, the National Assembly is also the bridge to bring international commitments into domestic legal life, creating a synchronous legal framework for Vietnam to effectively implement international agreements, serving sustainable development. Vietnamese legal regulations are increasingly approaching international standards, meeting the requirements of WTO commitments, United Nations conventions and other bilateral and multilateral agreements. In addition, the National Assembly's supreme supervision of foreign affairs activities is also increasingly implemented effectively, through the supervision of relevant agencies in the implementation of international treaties, the implementation of foreign policies, and ensuring the implementation of international commitments closely linked to the requirements of national development. Thematic questioning and supervision activities, as well as the Government's reports on foreign affairs at National Assembly sessions have contributed to enhancing transparency, efficiency and accountability in this field.

It can be affirmed that, through legislation, ratification of international treaties and supreme supervision, the Vietnamese National Assembly not only accompanies but also promotes the implementation of the country's foreign policy, thereby ensuring national interests and enhancing Vietnam's position and prestige in the international community.

Could you please tell us what the current international and domestic context and the coming time will require of the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities?

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man : The current international context is undergoing profound changes, creating both opportunities and challenges for the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities. In the world, strategic competition between major countries is increasingly fierce, the trend of multipolarity and multi-center is evident, global issues such as climate change, energy security, food security, digital transformation, etc. require close and responsible cooperation from the international community. Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia regions continue to have complex developments, intertwined with both cooperation and competition.

Domestically, after nearly 40 years of renovation, our country has achieved many important achievements, and its prestige and international position have been increasingly enhanced. However, the requirements for rapid and sustainable development, firmly protecting independence and sovereignty, and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development pose new, more difficult and comprehensive tasks for the National Assembly's foreign affairs.

In that context, the overarching goal of the National Assembly's foreign affairs, together with Party foreign affairs, State diplomacy, and people's diplomacy, is to maintain a peaceful, stable, and favorable environment for the cause of national construction and defense, and to carry out strategic tasks of socio-economic development; at the same time, resolutely and persistently protect our independence, sovereignty, sovereign rights, territorial integrity, and core interests in accordance with international law.

The National Assembly's foreign affairs need to continue to promote the role of parliamentary diplomacy, proactively, positively and responsibly participate in multilateral parliamentary cooperation mechanisms; at the same time, strengthen bilateral foreign affairs with parliaments of other countries, especially important partners and strategic partners.

The National Assembly also needs to continue to improve the quality of legislation, ratification and supervision of international treaties, ensuring harmony between national and ethnic interests and international commitments. In addition, innovation in methods and content, and close connection between Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy are also key requirements, helping the National Assembly's diplomacy truly become an important pillar in the overall comprehensive and modern diplomacy of Vietnam.

Given these requirements, what are the focuses of the National Assembly's foreign affairs in the new era? In the context of digital transformation and a rapidly changing international environment, how should the National Assembly innovate its foreign affairs operations, apply technology and improve its staff capacity to continue affirming its pioneering role, Mr. Chairman?

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man : Faced with new requirements of the domestic and international situation, the National Assembly's foreign policy focus in the new era is to continue to affirm its proactive, positive, and responsible role, contributing to implementing the Party and State's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification.

In the context of digital transformation and rapid changes in the international environment, the National Assembly is also facing the need to strongly innovate its foreign affairs operations to adapt to the new situation, including increasing the application of information technology in organizing activities, expanding online dialogue and exchange, improving timeliness and efficiency in parliamentary contacts and connections. In addition, building a team of professional and competent parliamentary diplomacy staff who are proficient in foreign languages ​​and technology, and knowledgeable about international laws and practices is also a key factor to improve the quality and efficiency of operations.

It can be said that, by innovating methods and harmoniously combining tradition and modernity, the foreign affairs work of the Vietnamese National Assembly will continue to promote its role, contributing to the overall achievements of Vietnamese diplomacy, helping to increasingly affirm the image and position of Vietnam in the international arena.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic Sector, what message does the National Assembly Chairman have for the sector, Mr. Chairman?

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man : On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic sector

(August 28, 1945 - August 28, 2025), I cordially send my best wishes to generations of cadres, civil servants, public employees, workers in the diplomatic sector and cadres participating in foreign affairs work.

Looking back over the past 80 years, from a young, isolated nation, Vietnam's diplomacy, under the comprehensive and absolute leadership of the Party with Ho Chi Minh's ideology as its guiding principle, has overcome many difficulties and continuously grown with the country to achieve the achievements it has today.

I believe that the Diplomatic Sector will continue to innovate strongly, promote the glorious tradition and pioneering, important and regular role of foreign affairs, synchronously, creatively and effectively implement Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy, and build a strong, comprehensive, modern and professional Diplomatic Sector.

Wishing the diplomatic sector and those working in foreign affairs to always excellently fulfill the tasks assigned by the Party, State and People, serving the Fatherland and the People./.

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