President Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at virtual high-level open debate on cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union. (Photo: VNA)

Mr. Hieu talked to reporters about President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s Thursday statement at a virtual high-level open debate on cooperation between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) themed “Renewing solidarity to successfully deliver peace and security in a changing conflict environment.” 

“President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's participation in this high-level discussion demonstrates Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification, and manifests the spirit of proactiveness and responsibility to the international community in general and the African region in particular. Africa is a region of Vietnam’s of traditional cooperation. The President's attendance also shows the importance of traditional relations with the African region. The President’s statement was applauded by the international community and other countries and reflected on Vietnam’s performance in the remaining months of being  a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.”

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister, the international community and the UN in particular are increasingly interested in Africa as more than 60% of agenda discussed at the UN Security Council are about Africa.