The Steering Committee on Counter-Terrorism of the Ministry of Public Security convened its 12th session in Hanoi on October 24 to review what it has done in 2013 and outline tasks for 2014.

To Lam, Deputy Minister of Public Security and Head of the Committee, said the work of preventing and combating terrorism in the country will meet threats and challenges ahead so due attention and vigilance must always be maintained.

Emphasising its important part in firmly defending a peaceful and stable environment for the country’s socio-economic development and people’s lives, Lam requested police units and localities unceasingly improve their counter-terrorism capacity to make the task efficient.

In the wake of terrorism developing in a complicated manner in the world and Southeast Asia, and hostile forces increasing sabotage activities against the country in 2013, the Steering Committee has worked closely with ministries, sectors and municipal and provincial people’s committees to promptly handle cases in connection with terrorism and security disturbance.

It has broadened cooperation with international organisations and law enforcement agencies of other countries.

The Law on Counter-Terrorism, ratified by the 13th National Assembly, took effect on October 1, 2013. The document specified the Party and State’s policies and guidelines on preventing and combating terrorism at a time when the country is integrating globally.

Vietnam is now party to ten international instruments on counter-terrorism, and considering the accession to three other international conventions, namely the International Convention against Taking of Hostages, International Convention on Suppression of Terrorist Bombing and International Convention for Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism.-VNA