Directive No. 525/TTg On Several Guidelines and Measures for Continued Economic-Social Development in Mountainous Areas

DECREE

On the tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

THE GOVERNMENT

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Pursuant to the Government Decree No. 15/CP dated March 2, 1993 on the tasks, powers, and responsibilities for state management of Ministries and agencies at the ministerial level;

At the request of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Heads of the Government Organizational and Cadre Department.

DECREE:

Article 1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a government agency responsible for managing state affairs in the field of diplomacy to protect the sovereignty and interests of the State, the rights and legitimate interests of legal entities and citizens of Vietnam; to expand friendly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries; to serve the cause of building and defending the country; to enhance Vietnam's international position; and to contribute to the common struggle of the world's people for peace, national independence, democracy, and social progress.

Article 2. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the following tasks and powers:

1. Submit to the Government draft laws, ordinances, and other documents related to regulating diplomatic, consular, international treaty, and state ceremonial relations with foreign countries.

2. Submit to the Government matters concerning the signing, joining, approving international treaties under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; negotiate and sign treaties with countries and international organizations according to the Government's authorization; organize and direct the implementation of these international treaties; assist the Government in urging and inspecting the performance of rights and obligations under international treaties by Vietnam.

3. Submit to the Government for consideration and decision on foreign policy guidelines, policies, programs, and activities of the State; concretize the State's foreign policy for each period for different regions, countries, and international organizations.

4. Announce the official viewpoints and positions of Vietnam on international issues; contribute to forming and implementing the State's foreign information and propaganda policy.

5. Protect the interests of the State and the legitimate interests of organizations and citizens of Vietnam abroad in accordance with Vietnamese law and international law.

6. Submit to the Government for issuance of regulations and policies regarding the field of diplomatic work, and policies for organizations and individuals of Vietnam in their relations with foreign counterparts.

Issue Decisions, Circulars, and Directives related to foreign affairs as prescribed by the Government.

Organize the implementation of the above-mentioned documents.

7. Submit to the Government matters concerning the establishment or withdrawal of Vietnam's diplomatic missions abroad; the appointment and recall of Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam.

8. Submit to the Government matters concerning the establishment or termination of diplomatic relations with countries; joining or withdrawing from international political organizations; accepting the establishment of foreign diplomatic and consular missions in Vietnam; coordinate to organize for the President to receive foreign Ambassadors Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Vietnam.

9. Represent the State in diplomatic relations with countries and international organizations; conduct foreign activities of the State.

10. Chair the preparation for high-level delegations of our country visiting other countries or attending international conferences, and receive high-level delegations from other countries and international organizations visiting Vietnam; manage foreign delegations entering Vietnam and Vietnamese delegations going abroad for work as prescribed by the Government.

11. Organize and participate in international conferences and seminars on foreign political affairs.

12. Coordinate with relevant sectors and localities in establishing, promoting, and strengthening relations with other countries; guide sectors and localities in properly implementing guidelines, policies, laws, and regulations related to the State's foreign activities; guide local foreign affairs organizations on foreign affairs procedures.

13. Create a favorable international environment for the construction of the country and the implementation of the State's foreign economic policy. Study situations, provide information, and advise on the formulation and implementation of the State's foreign economic policy.

14. Perform consular functions and resolve consular matters for Vietnamese legal entities and citizens and foreign counterparts.

15. Conduct the exchange of diplomatic representatives of countries and international governmental organizations in Vietnam. Manage the activities of foreign diplomatic and consular missions, foreign press correspondents and news agencies permanently stationed in Vietnam, and short-term activities in Vietnam in accordance with Vietnamese law and international law.

16. Coordinate with relevant agencies and localities in protecting the rights of overseas Vietnamese and managing foreign residents in Vietnam.

17. Organize scientific research on international relations.

18. Train, develop, and build a cadre of diplomats. Train foreign affairs officials for localities. Bestow diplomatic ranks on officials working in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese diplomatic missions abroad as prescribed by the Government.

19. Manage the organization, staffing, finance, and material resources assigned.

Article 3. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is responsible to the Prime Minister and the National Assembly for the field of diplomatic work.

Deputy Ministers assist the Minister. Deputies are assigned by the Minister to direct certain aspects of work and are responsible to the Minister for the tasks assigned. In the absence of the Minister, a Deputy Minister designated by the Minister shall lead the work of the Ministry.

Article 4. The organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs includes:

1. Organizations assisting the Minister in performing state management functions:

Office,

Department of Organization and Cadres,

Inspectorate,

Department of Comprehensive Foreign Affairs,

Department of Comprehensive Economy,

Department of Southeast Asia - South Pacific,

Department of China,

Department of Northeast Asia,

Department of South Asia,

Department of Eastern Europe - Central Asia,

Department of Western Europe,

Department of Americas,

Department of West Asia - Africa,

Department of Information and Press,

Protocol Department,

Consular Department,

Department of Law and International Treaties,

Department of International Organizations,

Department of Culture - UNESCO,

Administration and Finance Department,

Ho Chi Minh City Foreign Affairs Office.

2. Affiliated organizations:

Institute of International Relations,

Journal of International Relations,

Foreign Press Service Center,

Government Guest House.

Diplomatic missions of the Government abroad, the Minister of Foreign Affairs is authorized to manage and professionally direct include:

Embassies,

General Consulates and Consulates.

The permanent resident delegations of Vietnam in foreign countries and at the United Nations and other intergovernmental organizations.

Article 5. This Decree takes effect from the date of issuance. The Government Council's Decree No. 157-CP dated October 9, 1961, concerning the tasks, authorities, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is hereby repealed.

Article 6. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, government agencies, and chairmen of provincial people's councils directly under the central government are responsible for implementing this Decree./.