The Xinhua news on Dec 18 ran an article describing the increasing role of Vietnam in the world arena and strengthening of cooperation with other countries as the two out-standing achievements made by Vietnam in its foreign affairs during 2007.

The article said that, Vietnam’s top officials paid many official visits to overseas as well as receiving many foreign leaders over the past year. It contributed to helping Vietnam gain support and sign many social-economic agreements.

It noted that, Vietnam was well known through a series of visits but also that Vietnam was elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations in 2008-2009 term and also officially became the 150th membership of the World Trade Organisation.

In its conclusion, the article commented that Vietnam’s diplomatic activities have been successful in portraying the country’s image abroad in 2007. (CPV)