Foreign affairs must drive development

On the afternoon of June 15, at the National Assembly House, Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man chaired a working session with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Assembly's Committee for National Defense, Security and External Relations, and the National Assembly Office to strengthen coordination in advising, supporting and organizing the National Assembly's external activities.

Concluding the meeting, the National Assembly Chairman acknowledged and commended the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its outstanding achievements in implementing the Party's and State's foreign affairs agenda, making important contributions to enhancing Vietnam's role and position, consolidating the country's diplomatic standing, and creating a favorable strategic environment for national development and defense in the new period.

He also highly appreciated the proactive and responsible coordination among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Committee for National Defense, Security and External Relations, and the National Assembly Office, particularly during the transition period for implementing Politburo Conclusion No. 111. Throughout the process, the agencies ensured that the National Assembly's foreign affairs activities were carried out continuously, smoothly and effectively.

Special attention was given to preparations for the National Assembly Chairman's bilateral visits, participation in multilateral forums, and arrangements for Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly joining high-level overseas visits by Party and State leaders. "These achievements have helped maintain the momentum of the country's external relations while enhancing the position and prestige of the Vietnam National Assembly in the international arena," he said.

Alongside the achievements, the National Assembly Chairman called on relevant agencies to seriously review shortcomings and promptly address limitations in coordination mechanisms to better meet the growing requirements of foreign affairs in the new situation.

He proposed adopting the principle of "Three agencies, one objective: providing the best possible advice and support for the foreign affairs activities of National Assembly leaders." Coordination, he said, should begin early and proactively, from research, forecasting and policy consultation stages, rather than only responding when issues arise.

The National Assembly Chairman clarified that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for overall coordination, while the Committee for National Defense, Security and External Relations serves as the body accountable to National Assembly leaders for advising on the legislature's foreign affairs content. The committee should take the initiative in policy recommendations and coordination with relevant agencies, rather than acting passively.

Regarding protocol and logistics, he requested the National Assembly Office to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure streamlined arrangements while fully observing diplomatic protocol.

The National Assembly Chairman emphasized that Resolution No. 06 reaffirmed the Party's consistent view that foreign affairs, together with national defense and security, constitute a regular and strategic task. Foreign affairs must proactively help create and maintain a peaceful and stable environment while maximizing international resources and favorable conditions to serve national development and defense. In the country's new development phase, foreign affairs must become not only a tool for safeguarding national interests but also an important engine of growth.

According to the National Assembly Chairman, comprehensive foreign affairs are the responsibility of the entire Party and people, built upon the complementary coordination of three pillars: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy. This also requires close coordination among defense, security and foreign affairs sectors; between parliamentary diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy; among central agencies and ministries; and with the active participation of localities, businesses and citizens.

Comprehensive foreign affairs also require the effective integration of political, economic, technological, cultural and other instruments to best safeguard national interests and maximize the country's overall strength.

Shifting toward "development-oriented foreign affairs"

The National Assembly Chairman noted that the National Assembly possesses a unique advantage unmatched by any other institution: legislative authority and supreme oversight powers. Parliamentary diplomacy should not only reflect the country's position but also help shape it by contributing to institutional development, strengthening international consensus and fostering a favorable environment for national development.

To realize this vision, he urged relevant agencies to focus on five major orientations.

First, there must be a proper understanding of the role of parliamentary diplomacy within Vietnam's comprehensive and modern foreign affairs framework. Parliamentary diplomacy should be implemented in harmony with Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy, closely aligned with the Party's strategic priorities while serving national interests and development goals.

Second, there must be a strong shift from a mindset of “foreign affairs serving relations” to "foreign affairs creating development," while promoting the principles of strategic autonomy and self-reliance in parliamentary diplomacy.

The National Assembly, he said, should actively promote legislative cooperation, exchange experiences in national governance, and learn from international best practices to improve institutions and governance capacity. At the same time, it should leverage international knowledge, science and technology, and favorable global conditions to support national development.

He also stressed that parliamentary diplomacy activities should be closely linked to efforts to attract resources, core and advanced technologies, expand markets, and strengthen the country's internal capabilities. “Every foreign affairs activity must generate added value for national development,” he emphasized.

Third, practical effectiveness must be the primary measure of parliamentary diplomacy.

According to the National Assembly Chairman, every overseas trip and foreign affairs activity should be streamlined, effective and result-oriented, with concrete outcomes and clearly defined deliverables. The success of foreign affairs efforts, he noted, should not be measured solely by visits, meetings or signed agreements, but by their ability to translate into tangible benefits, concrete cooperation programs and new drivers for national development.

Fourth, Vietnam's National Assembly should enhance its position and voice within regional and international parliamentary mechanisms.

He called on the National Assembly to continue playing an active and responsible role in multilateral parliamentary forums, gradually moving from active participation to proactive contributions, including proposing initiatives and helping shape agendas on issues aligned with Vietnam's interests and capabilities. This is both a requirement stemming from the country's rising position and a responsibility toward the international community.

Fifth, advisory capacity and coordination mechanisms must be strengthened based on the principle of "clear focal points and clear responsibilities, without fragmentation of accountability."

Regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Assembly Chairman affirmed that the National Assembly would fully support laws, decisions, mechanisms and policies related to the ministry's operations, creating favorable conditions for it to effectively fulfill its duties.

On the occasion, the National Assembly Chairman and other National Assembly leaders witnessed the signing of a coordination regulation among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the National Assembly's Committee for National Defense, Security and External Relations, and the National Assembly Office on organizing foreign affairs activities involving the National Assembly Chairman, Vice Chairpersons, former Chairpersons and former Vice Chairpersons of the National Assembly.