Hanoi (VNA) – PresidentNguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse chaired a ceremony in celebration of Vietnam’s77th National Day (September 2, 1945 - 2022) in Hanoi on August 31.

The event was attended by central andHanoi officials, along with foreign diplomats and heads of internationalorganisations.

In his remarks, President Phucrecalled the date of September 2, 1945, when then President Ho Chi Minh readthe Declaration of Independence that marked the foundation of the DemocraticRepublic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Since then, Vietnam has surmounted countlessdifficulties and challenges to firmly maintain independence, reunify thecountry, and obtain many proud development achievements, he said.

He also highlighted Vietnam’sexpanding foreign relations as seen in its diplomatic ties with 190 countriesand successful fulfillment of tasks as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) Year 2017 and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea - United StatesSummit in 2019, Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in2020, and a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020 - 2021.

Recently, the country was elected tothe UNESCO Executive Board for 2021 - 2025 and re-elected to the InternationalLaw Commission.

The State leader took this occasionto appreciate the precious support and effective cooperation from countries,international organisations and partners, businesses, investors, friends, andpeople around the world for Vietnam, especially in the fight against theCOVID-19 pandemic.

He noted Vietnam needs support from andwin-win cooperation with the international community to help achieve fast andsustainable development.

Given this, the President suggestedfour cooperation priorities, namely sustaining peace and stability, respectinginternational law and the UN Charter, maintaining a favourable internationalenvironment for economic recovery cooperation; continuing to substantively promotecooperative ties, with a focus on developing infrastructure, ensuringsustainable supply chains, and effectively implementing the agreements ondigital transformation, green economy, human resources, and science - technology;enhancing partnerships in climate change response, epidemic prevention andcontrol, healthcare capacity and social security improvement, and wealth gapand social inequality narrowing; and increasing forms of connectivity, all-levelmutual visits, exchanges of business delegations, and people-to-people exchange.

Offering the best greetings to the Partyand State leaders and people of Vietnam, Palestinian Ambassador Saadi Salama,head of the diplomatic corps, stressed that over the past year, despitepandemic-caused challenges and global uncertainties, Vietnam has gained proudsuccesses, including overcoming the pandemic’s impacts, staying one of theeconomies with fastest recovery and development in the region, and especiallyremaining an active and responsible member of the international community.

On behalf of the diplomatic corps, hethanked the Vietnamese Party, State, Government, and relevant agencies forassisting foreign diplomats, which has affirmed the importance Vietnam attachesto the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with other countries andinternational organisations, as well as its readiness to continue efforts tofurther promote its role to help achieve the common goal of a world of peace,equality, prosperity, cooperation, and development./.