At the Vietnam Forum 2016 held in Singapore on April 9, Vietnam's external policies have been reviewed and Vietnam's relations with big countries, achievements and challenges in its diplomatic policy of multilateralisation and diversification, 30 years since its renewal, have been featured.
Scholars discussed the development of the Vietnam – US, Vietnam – China and Vietnam - India ties, including sea-related issues, as well as ties with neighbouring Laos and Cambodia. The country's comprehensive and strong economic integration process, including the ties with the European Union via the free trade agreement, also received attention.
Participants shared the view that the bilateral relations with the said countries, particularly with the US and China, are significant to shaping Vietnam's diplomatic policy. They took note of the strengthened strategic trust between Vietnam and the US recently, which created prerequisites and a foundation for bilateral links not only in the economy, science-technology and trade-investment, but also in national defence and military affairs.
Rajeev Ranjan Chaturverdy from the National University of Singapore's Institute of South Asia said India is helping Vietnam strengthen its power since both sides support a diplomatic policy of independence. India's greater involvement in Vietnam will help the latter considerably improve its economic and national defence capabilites, he said.
On Vietnam 's external economic policies, presenter Aekapol said that the more significant milestone for Vietnam 's international economic relationship with global economy is perhaps its access to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). With the access to the WTO, Vietnam is very serious to be part of global economic community and it wants to liberalise in terms of trade, investment and be serious about sustainable development in the country.
He described Vietnam's entering into Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations as beneficial for Vietnam and Singapore who are members of the TPP. "By being the membership of the TPP, Vietnam will have to negotiate in something like WTO plus negotiations with broader and deeper than ASEAN negotiations," said Aekapol. He expected that Vietnam will push forward in many ambitious areas like intellectual property rights, investment protection, service sector, saying that it will be beneficial for Singapore and Vietnam and also good for ASEAN as a whole.
Source: http://hanoitimes.com.vn - Anh Kiet
Keywords: Vietnam Forum 2016, held in, Singapore
