Concerted effort vital to halt economic downturn; Security has key role in socio-economic progress; Vietnam’s People’s Army to turn into regular and elite force; Vietnam keen to boost ties with Panama, Austria

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh meets workers from the Quang Son Cement Factory in the northern city of Thai Nguyen. (Photo: VOV)

The Party leader met voters from the provincial Military Command and the Quang Son Cement Factory, which is under construction in Dong Hy district.

Manh briefed the voters on the results of the 12th National Assembly’s fifth session, held recently in Ha Noi, and the country’s socio-economic development in 2008 through the first six months of this year.

Though there have been good signs from the country’s economy, difficulties remained ahead, the Party leader said, emphasising the concerted efforts needed to improve production and overcome the nation’s current challenges.

Manh said that, in the future, the Party and State would take the initiative to halt the economic recession, control inflation, stabilise the macro economy, sustain an appropriate growth pace and ensure social security.

He also told voters that Viet Nam with an average income per head of US$1,000 per annum, had now surpassed the levels set for a less developed country.

“This is an encouraging achievement,” Manh said.

The Party leader also called for Party committees and authorities at all levels to meet targets set by the 10th Party National Congress.

To prepare for the next congress, Manh urged localities to be diligent in training good cadres to be leaders for the following term.

Representatives of voters said the National Assembly meetings had been more democratic and that the quality of question-and-answer sessions involving Cabinet members had improved.

They expressed hope that the meeting’s results would be promptly realised to help bring the country out of its current difficulties and advance towards sustainable development.

Voters from Thai Nguyen Military Command suggested that the Party and authorities at different levels work to improve the lives of military officers.

They also petitioned to issue legal documents on land, housing for officers and bonus payments for overtime duty soon.

Voters from the cement factory proposed the Party and State prioritise socio-economic development and increase investment into mountainous areas, as well as develop small-and-medium-sized industrial enterprises in localities.

They also said bold plans should be mapped out to move labour forces from agro-forestry to industry sector and train human resources to meet the national programme on industrialisation and modernisation.

Also yesterday, President Nguyen Minh Triet met with voters in HCM City’s District 3.

Triet highlighted the role of people’s solidarity in maintaining social order and developing the economy.

He suggested local voters actively contribute to build a better administration system, obey the law, and maintain their trust in Party and State leadership.

The President affirmed that voters’ requests and petitions would be seriously considered by the National Assembly and relevant agencies.

In reaction to opinions on the misuse of the district’s museums, Triet asked voters to keep administrative agencies updated on the situation and pledged that NA deputies would examine these museums before they were allowed to resume their functions.

Districts voters expressed their satisfaction at the recent NA Q&A session, which showed the supervisory capacity of the NA deputies.

The elderly expected that the Law on Elderly would be soon ratified by the NA.

Security has key role in socio-economic progress

National security must always go hand in hand with socio-economic development, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the Politico-Military Conference in Ha Noi on June 24.

At the conference, which was co-organised by the Ministry of National Defence and the Central Military Party Committee, Prime Minister Dung extended his regards to the country’s military officers and soldiers.

He said ensuring the country’s security, independence and territorial integrity was significant to socio-economic development.

Socio-economic development is also necessary to maintain national security and social order, he said.

“We cannot pay less attention to any of these two fields,” Dung said.

Dung applauded the military for advising the Party and the Government on national security and defence, as well as its role in supplementing and drafting documents and policies on national defence.

He said he highly appreciated the military’s efforts in gradually building up the country’s defence as an advanced, skilled and regular people’s army. The army fulfilled their mission in every circumstance, which contributed to the country’s political stability, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national interest, he said.

In addition, the military has effectively participated in socio-economic programmes on poverty reduction, and played an important role in disaster preparedness and disease prevention and fighting, Dung said.

The PM asked the military to continue their work in making people fully aware of the mission to safeguard the country’s independence and territorial integrity.

Dung asked the military to co-ordinate closely with public security forces to prevent any plots against the political system, and to make full use of the country’s strength and national solidarity to develop a strong national defence.

The quality of national defence education and training and vocational training in military schools must be raised, he said, adding that the building of militia units in enterprises must be strengthened. Building up defence strength in strategic areas, remote areas, border areas and islands must also be intensified.

General Phung Quang Thanh, minister of National Defence, acknowledged the PM’s order and promised to further strengthen the national army.

VietNamNet/VNS

Vietnam’s People’s Army to turn into regular and elite force

A political-military congress was held in Hanoi on June 24 to review the implementation of military objectives in the first half of this year and work out the priorities and solutions for the remaining months.

At the congress, Mr Dung highlighted the great achievements in socio-economic development Vietnam recorded in 2008 while pointing out the six key tasks to be carried out from now until the end of 2010.

The Government leader praised the whole national security services for making every effort to contribute more to national development and asked the Ministry of National Defense to enhance Party building and develop a contingent of qualified staff who are experts in political ideology and moral qualities.

He also directed the Ministry of National Defense to purchase equipment properly, reinforce combative strength, develop the national defense industry, and boost production and business activities to improve soldiers’ living standards.

Vietnam keen to boost ties with Panama, Austria

At a reception for the Ambassador of Panama, Lizia Zenaida Lu, the NA Chairman expressed hope that the two countries would improve their relations in various fields.

He confirmed that the Vietnamese NA always supports and will actively boost ties between the two nations in general and between the two parliaments in particular.

The Vietnamese top legislator also highly praised Ambassador Lizia’s contributions to strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation during her term of office as the first Panamanian ambassador to Vietnam.

For her part, she stated that Panama always creates the best conditions for Vietnamese sailors to work and study in the country. She also expressed her country’s desire to receive Vietnam’s assistance and its experience in growing rice and in aquaculture.

Together with the opening of the Panamanian Embassy in Hanoi, the two countries signed five bilateral cooperation agreements, creating a legal foundation for their multi-faceted cooperation, especially in economics, trade, maritime affairs, agriculture and science.

On meeting Austrian Ambassador Johannes Peterlik, NA Chairman Trong said that he was pleased with the fine developments in bilateral ties in recent times and the ambassador’s active contributions.

He emphasised that the two countries should further exchange delegations and their experiences in introducing legislation and judicial reforms.

NA Chairman Trong invited the Austrian Federal Council President and the Speaker of the Austrian Parliament to visit Vietnam soon.

Ambassador Peterlik declared that Austria is ready to cooperate with and help Vietnam to finish modernising its legal system.

(Source: VOV)