In an interview with VNA on the occasion of the Year of the Tiger 2010, President Nguyen Minh Triet emphasises that "We are confident in our own strength, in our great national unity and solidarity, as well as with our co-operation with the international community, hence we have a renewed will and determination to enter the year 2010 when the country will host many grand celebrations and important events."

Mr President, in the midst of the 2009 global economic and financial crisis, we have been able to maintain growth in the country. Would you give your assessment on the country’s achievements?

The global economic and financial crisis continues to have strong impacts on all countries and territories, and Viet Nam is not out of the whirlwind. Yet, thanks to the efforts of the entire Party, army and people, we have been able to gradually overcome the difficulties and obtain a growth of 5 per cent. I would say that this is really a very encouraging accomplishment.

By overcoming these difficulties and challenges, we not only learn more through experience, but more importantly, gain more confidence for our march ahead on the path of development, which will certainly entail no less hurdles and challenges. We are confident in our own strength, in our great national unity and solidarity, as well as with our co-operation with the international community, hence we have a renewed will and determination to enter the year 2010 when the country will host many grand celebrations and important events, namely the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the 65th anniversary of the birth of the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam, the millennium anniversary of Thang Long - Ha Noi, the 65th anniversary of the success of the August Revolution, the 35th anniversary of the total liberation of South Viet Nam and the reunification of the country, and the 120th birth day of President Ho Chi Minh. We will also conduct the Party congresses at all levels to prepare for the 11th National Party Congress.

Mr President, would you list the factors contributing to our growth?

There are many things that contributed to our success. I would only like to underline the special ones now. First, we are successful because of solidarity and unity, as well as the joint efforts of the entire Party, army and people. Second, our Party and State have made the correct and appropriate policies that win the hearts and minds of the people and are tailored to the needs of the day and to the specifics of the country. Another factor that has led to our success is our strong agricultural production. A stable agricultural economy has really ensured the people’s livelihood.

At a time when exports face so many difficulties, our vast domestic market helps us balance growth. Besides, we also receive assistance and co-operation from our international friends. These experiences will continue to be brought into full play in the time to come.

Mr President, what will be the focus of our Party and State this year?

The Party and State have already developed plans and programmes in order to meet the country’s full potential in 2010. It is necessary to focus on strengthening the national unity and solidarity of the country, which is one of the most important issues for the development of the country. Second, everyone should work diligently and strictly perform their tasks and duties to attain the highest possible outcomes. Third, it is necessary to focus more on some core issues, i.e. overcoming the impacts of the economic and financial crisis in order to further boost our economy’s development, while also inspiring our national pride to nurture a winning spirit.

The National Assembly has also set targets for 2010. Next year, we hope to achieve an economic growth rate of 6.5 per cent, which would symbolise our recovery from the crisis. The set targets will help create a new momentum in order to achieve growth for the future and re-establish our pre-crisis growth rate. We are determined to have sustained and rapid economic growth. This is something we must fully understand. I strongly believe that we will be able to successfully fulfil all the set targets.

How would you assess the current administrative reform and drive against corruption?

The administrative reform and the anti-corruption campaign have drawn real concern from the Party, people, sectors and localities. In recent years, administrative reform in our country has recorded important initial achievements, which have contributed to the overall socio-economic achievements of the country. Through the reform, our institutional and legal systems, as well as the State’s operations have gradually been renewed and improved in line with the country’s specific needs, international practice and law; a socialist-oriented market economy has taken shape, and the people’s democratic rights have been increasingly observed. The organisational structure, functions and mandates of the State’s administrative bodies from the Centre to localities are being adjusted and rearranged in a more logical way to remove overlaps, which will in turn create a more transparent and open administration.

The people of Viet Nam are brave and are willing to sacrifice their blood and bones for the revolution and the country. The question now is why have corruption and vices had the opportunity to emerge? The cause might be found in the weaknesses and loopholes that exist in our administrative management. Corruption, harassment and vices are always a disease and a threat to the whole administration and a big challenge to socio-economic development. Negative phenomena and corruption emerge from the degradation of a number of public servants as well as from losses that occur because of slack and ineffective management. As such, it is clear that administrative reform is needed to effectively fight corruption. Administrative reform and anti-corruption have a close relationship. Good administrative reform provides an effective tool to combat corruption, while good anti-corruption activities will boost the results achieved through administrative reform. Therefore, we must expand our anti-corruption efforts and increase public education, awareness and campaign against corruption. Yet, it is necessary to conduct the administrative and legal reforms in a synchronised manner in order to gradually wipe out corruption.

How would you evaluate the role, prestige and position of Viet Nam in the world today?

In 2009, many high-level leaders of the Party and State, including myself, conducted external activities, which included making official visits abroad. The overall impression is that the leaders and people of other countries appreciate Viet Nam’s role, position and reputation. Leaders of many countries and international organisations highly valued Viet Nam’s development in recent years and expressed their interest in expanding co-operation with Viet Nam. There were high consensus on almost all issues we had tabled for discussion.

Among the country’s many successes, we have improved our role, position and prestige in the international arena, which is very important. We therefore are proud to be Vietnamese. We are also proud of our Party and our people. That pride will help us achieve a much stronger determination in our building a strong socialist country with rich people that live in a just, democratic and advanced society.

It is our Party and State’s policy to diversify our international relations. Viet Nam desires and is a reliable friend and responsible partner of countries, regions and international organisations. In our co-operation, we always stick firmly by our principles, while trying our best to thwart all schemes and plots of the enemy. We are confident, but we are also vigilant. As Viet Nam’s strength increases day by day, we will have more and more international friends and fewer and fewer enemies. We are improving our communication to disseminate the right and correct information about our Party and State’s policies and viewpoints to people who do not fully understand Viet Nam or have been blinded and distorted by the wrong information.

Mr President, what most impresses other countries and international organisations about Viet Nam? How would they perceive Viet Nam’s path to socialism?

In the past, Viet Nam was known to the world as a brave and unyielding nation, which offered a bright example of struggle for national liberation. Today, Viet Nam impresses the world with her economic growth, friendship and solidarity with all nations the world over.

During my visit to Spain last December, I had the opportunity to talk with parliamentarians of both of the houses there. I confirmed with them that Viet Nam is firmly headed toward socialism. I further explained to them what socialism meant for us. In our eyes, a socialist society is one without exploitation, wherein everyone would be able to live in equality, wealth, unity and happiness. Such a society is dreamt of not only by Viet Nam, but by all of mankind. In return, I received an overwhelming applause.

On this occasion, on behalf of the Party and the State, I would like to express my sincere thanks to all compatriots and service men and women in the country and to overseas Vietnamese, who have made great efforts to join the Party and State in maintaining the country’s growth and attaining such great achievements at home and abroad. I hope that they will continue to work hard in order to forge a stronger nation in solidarity, while also demonstrating their deep confidence in the Party’s leadership and in the future of our country’s development.

Source: Vietnamnet.vn