On the afternoon of February 20, the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a meeting with Nghe An Provincial Standing Party Committee on international integration and local foreign affairs. Members of the Party Central Committee: Bui Thanh Son – Minister of Foreign Affairs; Thai Thanh Quy - Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Head of the Delegation of National Assembly Deputies, Chairman of the Provincial People's Council chaired the meeting.

Attending the meeting were Mr. Pham Quang Hieu - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; leaders of the Party Committee, Trade Union, National Border Committee, departments and heads of Vietnam's representative missions abroad.

On the side of Nghe An province, there were comrades: Nguyen Van Thong – Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Nguyen Duc Trung - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee (PPC); Hoang Nghia Hieu – Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; members of the Provincial Standing Party Committee; leaders of provincial departments, committees and branches.

Overview of the meeting

Propose guidelines, resolutions and policies on foreign policy in line with the province's characteristics

Vice Chairman of the PPC Bui Thanh An reports on the socio-economic development, international integration and foreign affairs of Nghe An province

Reporting at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the PPC Bui Thanh An said: Thanks to the unity, high determination, great efforts, fierce efforts of the whole political system and the consensus and support of the enterprise community and the people, Nghe An province has achieved many positive results. The economy recovered and developed quite comprehensively, with many bright spots. The fields of culture, education and social security were promoted and improved. Administrative reform and improvement of business investment environment continued to be concerned and promoted. National defense, security and social order and safety were ensured; successfully organizing drills in the defense and civil defense areas of the province to ensure safety and according to the plan. Foreign relations activities of Nghe An province had many strong, positive, synchronous and effective innovations on three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people's diplomacy.

On the basis of a correct assessment of the international, regional, domestic and provincial situation, the Provincial Party Committee has clearly defined the objectives, requirements and tasks of foreign affairs, from which to set out guidelines, resolutions and policies on foreign policy in accordance with the province’s characteristics. The province's international integration and cooperation activities have been actively implemented, suitable to the new situation, and achieved many important results. The province promptly implemented the guiding documents of the Secretariat, Ministries and Central branches and successfully organized many important events, signed investment and trade cooperation agreements with a number of countries in the region. Activities to attract investment, trade and tourism continued to be enhanced in the direction of focus and key points. In the province, there were 11 programs and projects of ODA and foreign preferential loans with a total investment of 9,620 billion VND. Advocacy and aid management by foreign non-governmental organizations were carried out closely and effectively.

Foreign information has contributed to promoting the potential and advantages of the province. Border management was implemented synchronously, maintaining stability, ensuring security, order and social safety on the land and sea border. Consular work and citizen protection continued to be well and effectively implemented. Foreign culture was deployed through a variety of forms. The management of outgoing and incoming delegations, organization and management of international conferences and seminars were complied with regulations. People's diplomacy activities have been implemented effectively. Advocacy and aid management by foreign NGOs in Nghe An were carried out closely, effectively and in accordance with the law.

Proposing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to pay attention and support Nghe An in investment and trade promotion

In order to continue effectively implementing foreign activities, Nghe An province proposed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue supporting the province in effectively implementing foreign activities of the Party, State and people's diplomacy, especially economic diplomacy and international integration. In particular, focusing on implementing activities to promote investment, trade, tourism, health care, agriculture, education and training, vocational training, etc. in foreign countries. Supporting and selecting Nghe An province as the host for major international forums and conferences hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Creating conditions for the province to join high-level delegations of the Central Government to visit countries, investment promotion and local promotion delegations abroad; attending international forums, conferences and seminars. Helping Nghe An access investment funds to develop programs and funds to support the development of disadvantaged areas.

Regarding border management, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is requested to pay attention and propose to other ministries and central branches to continue to support the alignment selection of Hanoi - Vientiane Expressway through Thanh Thuy Border Gate (Nghe An Province); pay attention, soon consult and submit to the Government for promulgation the Process of overcoming, building, repairing and reinforcing the national landmark works, the border marker piles on the land border line that have been damaged by rain or flood, etc. so that localities can agree on implementation, etc.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu emphasizes the pioneering role of foreign affairs in creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilizing external resources for socio-economic development, and enhancing the position and prestige of the locality

Assessing the "right and winning" recommendations of the province, the delegation members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded specifically to each content proposed by the province. The delegates emphasized the importance of foreign relations and socio-economic development, serving a stable, peaceful environment, national defense, and combining external resources to support localities in general and Nghe An province in particular. The delegation members also expressed their desire to learn more, survey more clearly the situation of socio-economic development, national defense - security, the needs and strengths of the province so that in the coming time, the ambassadors will strengthen coordination, consult and connect, call for enterprises to invest in the province.

Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Thai Thanh Quy hopes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will support and connect to help the province have the opportunity to approach, introduce and invite investment to serve socio-economic development

Thanking the delegation's attention, Provincial Party Secretary Thai Thanh Quy emphasized that with the suggestions and proposals of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the province will absorb and study to take appropriate steps. The Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee hoped that in the coming time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will pay attention to and support Nghe An province in promoting investment, trade and expanding the market in order to call and attract investment to the locality. Nghe An province will develop a handbook to provide general information and overview about Nghe An province, its potentials, advantages and opportunities; From there, hoping that the delegation members introduce and promote to foreign investors and partners to understand and invest in the province. At the same time, prioritizing the proposal and selection of Nghe An as the venue for the country's foreign events; strengthening support and training for the staff of the province's foreign affairs, etc.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son acknowledges and highly appreciates the province's effective implementation of foreign affairs in all fields

Improving the capacity of the local foreign affairs staff

Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son emphasized: Foreign affairs plays a pioneering role in maintaining a peaceful environment, firmly protecting the Party's independence, sovereignty and territory. Carrying out external affairs in order to make the most of external resources to serve the cause of socio-economic development of the country; enhance the country's position in the international arena.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said that through the meeting, the delegation better understood the needs and strengths of the locality. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will assign specific tasks to members of the delegation to assist the province in introducing, promoting and calling for investment. In particular, the two sides will focus on coordinating in formulating plans to join working groups to ensure consistency in management, combining skillfully in strengthening cooperation between localities of Vietnam and localities of other countries, finding the right partners to promote strength. Strengthening capacity building of local foreign affairs staff, considering foreign affairs as one of the driving forces in the development of the province.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also suggested Nghe An need to soon complete basic and concise information in the Handbook for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote, introduce and promote investment. At the same time, strengthening cooperation with the provinces of Laos; after completing the border, it is necessary to build a border of peace, cooperation, friendship and development.

Kim Oanh