President Truong Tan Sang on March 29 hosted a ceremony to hand over appointment decisions to 29 representatives, who were designated as diplomats at Vietnamese representative agencies in foreign countries.

Of the officials, 19 people were appointed as ambassadors and six as consuls general.

Addressing the ceremony, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed that the Vietnamese representative agencies overseas should further promote multifaceted cooperation with other countries.

President Sang said representative agencies should play a role as a coordinator in promoting the implementation of national policies set out at the 11 th Party Congress.

Apart from fostering economic integration, it is necessary for the agencies to expand cooperation in other fields, ranging from politics, defence and security to socio-culture, Sang added.

The President also recommended the agencies attach importance to protecting Vietnamese citizens abroad, and offer support for them./.