At a get-together in Hanoi on January 22, he highlighted the entire Party, army and people’s co-ordinated efforts to overcome numerous difficulties and challenges and fulfil their targets for 2008 - the third year of implementing the resolutions adopted at the 10^th National Party Congress.

He said that the country has maintained its socio-political stability and kept its macro economy growing at a relatively high rate. It has strengthened national defence and security and firmly defended national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Foreign affairs and international integration have been enhanced, elevating the country’s role and position in the world arena.

According to the Party leader, many difficulties and challenges are still lying ahead in 2009 - an important year for Vietnam in implementing the Party’s resolutions. He called on the entire Party, State and army to be “active and swift in their leadership” in order to prevent economic slowdown and high inflation, stabilise the macro economy, sustain its reasonable growth and ensure social welfare.

He said more efforts are needed to finalise institutions for the socialist-oriented market economy, strengthen national defence, security and foreign affairs, and maintain the socio-political stability to create a favourable environment for national development.

He expressed his belief that “we will overcome difficulties and reap greater success by upholding the nation’s revolutionary tradition together with lessons learned as well as the strong will and wisdom of the Vietnamese people.”

He also thanked international friends for supporting the revolutionary cause of the Vietnamese people in recent times.

(Source: VOV)