Hanoi (VNA)🧜 – Vietnam’s international integration in the next five years will be on a much higher level than it is at present, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said at a roundtable in Hanoi on June 17.

The function on Vietnam’s international integration attracted more than 50 delegates, including foreign ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic corps, foreign organisations, research institutes, businesses and localities. Son underlined the country’s consistent policy of comprehensive and intensive integration in all spheres, focusing on international economic integration. In the new phase of development, Vietnam is to intensify integration in terms of economy, politics, defence, security, culture and society. It will enhance integration into the region through the ASEAN Community and into the world through multilateral diplomacy. Vietnam, as a developing nation, attaches importance to south-south cooperation and is willing to play a greater role in fostering this cooperation through sharing experiences in Doi moi (reform), socio-economic development and international integration, the official noted. Pratibha Mehta, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, said international integration has strongly contributed to the country’s socio-economic development and diplomatic stature. Vietnam’s achievements in realising the Millennium Development Goals are precious lessons that should be shared with other countries, particularly developing ones, to help implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. That will also demonstrate Vietnam’s active role in promoting south-south cooperation. At the roundtable, participants said to improve international integration efficiency, aside from its own efforts, Vietnam continues to need assistance from the international community. It is also important to step up reforms, especially institutional reforms, fine-tune the legal system, train manpower, and assist vulnerable fields amid the intensive integration. Meanwhile, the support given by a developed partner will help Vietnam effectively contribute to south-south cooperation, especially sharing skills and experiences in carrying out the Sustainable Development Goals, they added.-VNA