“We are confident in our internal
strength, national unity and the extent of our international
cooperation when entering the year 2010, as the country is hosting
numerous large and important events,” said State President Nguyen Minh
Triet.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam
News Agency before the forthcoming Lunar New Year festival, the State
leader said that the world economic and financial crisis continues to
leave a strong impact across the globe, including Vietnam.
However, thanks to the effort made by the whole Party, armed forces and
the public, Vietnam has gradually overcome these difficulties and
attained a GDP growth of over 5 percent, said President Triet, who
described it as a considerable achievement.
“Overcoming these difficulties has helped us to gain more experience
and become even more confident on the road to development with many
barriers and challenges lying ahead,” he added.
In 2010, Vietnam will organise many large celebrations and important
events, including the 80 th anniversary of the Communist Party of
Vietnam, the 65th National Day, the 65th anniversary of the August
Revolution and the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi.
The country will also mark the 35th anniversary of the liberation of
the south and national reunification and the 120th birthday of late
President Ho Chi Minh, said Triet, adding that party committees at all
levels are holding congresses during the year in preparation for the
eleventh National Party Congress scheduled for 2011.
According to the State leader, many factors have led to the country’s
success, the most important being the solidarity and joint efforts made
by the Party, armed forces and people and the Party and State’s sound
policies.
Another factor is that the country has a strong and stable agriculture
sector which helps to ensure people’s standard of living. “While
exports face difficulties, the vast domestic market has helped to
maintain growth, he said, adding that the cooperation and assistance
from international friends across the world has contributed a lot to
the country’s accomplishments.
These are valuable experiences that will be utilised in the near future, he stressed.
President Triet went on to say that the Party and the State have mapped
out programmes and plans to fulfil the objectives set for 2010 with the
top priority to be given to consolidating national unity, which has
always been of great importance throughout all periods of history.
In addition, every sector and every person must try their best to
fulfil their tasks to a high standard, he said, adding that these
efforts should be focused on overcoming the consequences of the global
economic-financial crisis to boost the national economy.
The National Assembly has set its targets for 2010, with a GDP growth
rate of up to 6.5 percent. “We are determined to reach a rapid and
sustainable economic growth and I believe we will successfully make
these targets,” Triet stressed.
Regarding administrative reforms and the fight against corruption, the
State leader stated that Vietnam has recorded some important initial
results in administrative reforms, which has helped with the country’s
socio-economic achievements.
Thanks to these reforms, many economic institutions and regulations
have been upgraded and the States organisation and operations of the
State apparatus have been enhanced and completed in line with the
current situation under international laws and practices, he said.
They have also helped to create a socialist-oriented market economy and ensure democracy, he added.
According to him, administrative reform is the key to effectively
preventing corruption and administrative reforms and preventing
corruption are inter-linked. Good administrative reforms are the best
way of preventing corruption and vice versa, the successfully
prevention of corruption will effectively speed up the implementation
of administrative reforms.
Discussing the role, position and prestige of Vietnam in the
international arena, President Triet said that in 2009, the Party and
State’s leaders, including him, attended many diplomatic events and
paid a number of overseas visits.
“The leaders and people of countries overseas have spoken very highly
of Vietnam’s role, position and prestige,” he said, adding that many
leaders of other nations and international organisations have praised
Vietnam’s development over the past few years and hope to strengthen
ties with the country.
“This constitutes favourable conditions for us to continue cooperating with other countries,” he said.
President Triet confirmed the Party and State’s policy to pursue
diverse and multilateral international relations and said that Vietnam
wants to become a friend and reliable partner to other countries,
regions and international organisations around the world.
In his summing up, he highlighted the good impressions Vietnam made on
other countries last year. “In the past, they were impressed by an
unyielding and brave Vietnam during its struggle for national
independence but nowadays they admire our country for its economic
growth, its friendship and solidarity with other countries and nations
throughout the world,” he said.
State President Triet used the occasion to thank people and soldiers
nationwide as well as overseas Vietnamese people, for their efforts to
boost national solidarity and maintain economic growth while making
many achievements in internal and external relations.
The State President expressed his wishes that Vietnamese people both at
home and abroad continue to exert every effort and have more confidence
in the Party leadership and a brighter future for the country./.