President Tran Dai Quang (Photo: VNA)The President shared with themedia his evaluations of the country’s achievements in socio-economicdevelopment and international integration as well as opportunities andchallenges facing the nation in the road ahead.
He noted that 2016 was thefirst year that the Party, people and army implemented the Resolution adoptedat the 12th National Party Congress, which has set overall goal,crucial targets and key tasks for the 2016-2020 period.
In the context of the slowrecovery of the global economy along with many complicated changes, Vietnamovercame great difficulties in the first and second quarters of this year to regainthe momentum for recovery and development of production, business whilemaintaining stable macro economy from the beginning of the third quarter, thePresident said, adding that the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate failedto reach the yearly set target, but remained among the highest in the region.
He went on to say, “We havefirmly and persistently fought to protect the country’s independence,sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity, and maintain peace andstability. The external relations and international integration have beendeepened and expanded, contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s position and prestige inthe global arena.”
At the same time, thePresident pointed to challenges facing the country, such as unsustainable macro-economicstability, poor growth quality, and slow implementation of major breakthroughsand restructuring of industries and sectors of the economy, along with low labourproductivity compared to that of other countries in the region and around theworld. Meanwhile, people in remote areas and regions hit by flood, drought,saltwater intrusion and environmental pollution are encountering a lot ofhardships.
President Quang alsomentioned complicated developments in the East Sea,and stressed that seas and islands are a sacred and indispensable part of thecountry. He underlined that firmly safeguarding the national independence,sovereignty, unification, and territorial integrity is the responsibility and dutyof each Vietnamese.
The President said while Vietnam’srights and interests in the East Sea are recognised and protected byinternational law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law ofthe Sea (UNCLOS), the country must resolutely and persistently fight to firmlydefend national independence, sovereignty, unification, and territorialintegrity, as well as to maintain a peaceful and stable environment fornational development, and deal with disputes via peaceful means on the basis ofrespect for international law.
According to the President, thebuilding and safeguarding of the country in the new situation require theentire nation and political system, with the people’s armed force playing thecore role, to prepare well in all aspects, keep high combat readiness and avoidfalling into the passive or being taken by surprise in all situations. Hestressed that strengthening the implementation of national defence-securitytasks along with building comprehensively strong people’s armed forces is acritical factor to carry out effectively socio-economic development targets,international integration, and firm protection of national independence,sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Regarding the country’sattainments in external affairs, President Tran Dai Quang said Vietnam hasproactively and actively brought into play the diplomatic guidelines set by the12th National Party Congress. Despite complicated regional andglobal developments, the external affair sector, with timely, appropriate andsynchronous measures, has continued to meet the requirements of national constructionand development, thus increasing the country’s position in the internationalarena.
He elaborated that Vietnamcontinued to be a bright example of political stability and developmentpotentials. The nation has pushed ahead with cementing and deepening thefriendship and cooperation with other countries and partners for commonsustainable development, he said.
Apart from playing an activerole in building the ASEAN Community, Vietnam has fulfilled its duties asa member of the UN Human Rights Council, UN Economic and Social Council, andUNESCO Executive Council. A Vietnamese diplomat has been elected to the UNInternational Law Commission. The country has also actively participated in andmade significant contributions to multilateral forums, winning appreciation frominternational friends.
As regards the fight againstcorruption, wastefulness and negative phenomena, President Tran Dai Quang tooknote of positive outcomes in the field with serious corruption and economicviolation cases brought to light, winning the public’s support. However, thoseresults have not met set requirements and the public’s expectations, he said.
For the fight to meet setrequirements, it is necessary to build and implement tight management andsupervision mechanisms to prevent corruption, together with strict deterrencemechanisms and punishments, the President said.
He stressed that corrupt elementsmust be dealt with strictly without being affected by pressure from anyorganisations and individuals, and judicial authorities must coordinate closelywith relevant agencies of other countries to promptly arrest criminals hidingabroad, ensure the law’s effectiveness and serve as a deterrence to others.
President Tran Dai Quang tookthis occasion to extend his best wishes to people and soldiers nationwide andoverseas Vietnamese in 2017 and the traditional Year of the Rooster./.
VNA
