Hanoi skyline (Source: Internet)The Hanoi People’s Committee said it would outline orientations and draw up specific programmes to increase cooperation and broaden ties with other countries’ capital cities and attract foreign businesses to the city.
More efforts will also be made to improve the image and reputation of Vietnam and Hanoi in particular, the committee said in a meeting held in Hanoi on August 18 to review the city’s foreign affairs in recent years.
Nguyen The Thao, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, hailed external affairs and affirmed that the sector assisted in building a peaceful and stable environment, contributing to Hanoi’s economic development.
He said the sector has expanded external people-to-people activities, especially towards overseas Vietnamese.
Thao also outlined important tasks for the foreign affairs sector in the coming years to fully integrate Hanoi into the world and make use of resources for development.
He asked the sector to boost external political activities to forge deeper, effective and stable relations with other countries, especially important partners.
Hanoi will boost multi-cultural diplomacy and be actively involved in international and regional organisations and multi-lateral forums such the Meeting of Mayors and Governors of ASEAN Capital Cities and the ASEM Governors and Mayors Meeting, he said .
Ho Xuan Son, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasised that as the cultural, political, economic and diplomatic centre, Hanoi’s external affairs are essential in the country’s foreign affairs.
He hoped that the city would continue to assist the sector to make greater achievements and contribute further to the country’s foreign affairs.
Hanoi currently has friendship and cooperation relationships with 100 capitals and major cities, 61 of which have signed cooperation agreements with Hanoi.
Hanoi also has economic and trade relations with 187 countries and territories and has attracted 2,950 foreign-direct-investment projects with combined capital of 25.7 billion USD.
Japan, China and Hong Kong are leading investors in Hanoi.-VNA
