Vietnamese diplomats urged to boost transparency at work abroad

Vietnamese missions abroad have been asked to improve the process of providing public services to make them effective and transparent for people abroad.

Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Photo: Baoquocte

Spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said at a press conference on October 6 regarding the offenses of some senior diplomats involving in repatriation flights during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Public services related to consular issues and citizen protection must be convenient while the Vietnamese missions abroad need to promote political, ideological works as well as ensure honesty and exemplary lifestyle for diplomats, Hang added.

She went on to say that the tightened request was made to all units and diplomats to ensure that they would comply with the law and the Party and State’s guidelines with a focus on raising the sense of responsibility.

Hang made the statement following the Ministry of Public Security (MPS)’s updates on the repatriation flight case, in which some senior diplomats were arrested for their involvement in the case.

On October 4, the MPS said that it launched legal proceedings against a former official at the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka, Japan for his bribery offense related to repatriation flights.

“The MoFA has closely worked with related agencies in the investigations to ensure the perpetrators would be held accountable for their offenses,” she said in a statement.

“The MoFA’s consistent view is that all diplomats must strictly abide by the guidelines and the law. All violations will be handled according to the law without exception,” she emphasized.

According to the MPS, 21 people are verified culprits of the repatriation flight bribery case, including Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung, 58.