Reporters: In 2007 Party and State leaders made many overseas visits, expressing Vietnam’s desire for peace, friendship, cooperation and development. How was the message received?

Mr.Nguyen Minh Triet: Vietnam wants to befriend all countries on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty and the right to self-determination of all nations. Through the visits, we received strong support from foreign leaders. Many countries and international organisations placed trust in and supported Vietnam substantially. 
Vietnam’s membership of the UN Security Council, the record high level of aid committed by donors and the high influx of foreign investment were the result of successful diplomatic activities last year. The country’s role and position were elevated in the international arena. The country was viewed as a safe and attractive destination for foreign tourists and investors who want to share experiences and cooperate with this dynamically developing economy.
These achievements were the result of the long struggle for national independence in the past and national construction at present.

Reporters: Could you give your assessment of the country’s socio-economic achievements after a year of being a member of the World Trade Organisation?

Mr.Nguyen Minh Triet: The national economy has achieved a comprehensive growth in almost all areas. Notably, foreign direct investment capital and ODA committed by foreign donors reached a record high compared to 2006’s figures. The Asian Development Bank listed Vietnam among the Asian countries having a high economic growth. Despite the impact of price hikes and natural disasters, the living conditions of the majority of people in rural areas remain stable, and the State issued policies to encourage farmers to expand production and increase their incomes.
Internal strength is the decisive factor behind the success of the nation. Global scientific and technological advances will be useful to the nation if we how to seize the opportunities and apply them, and vice versa. The fact is that we have overcome challenges after a year of joining the WTO.
However, there is no room for complacency, because there are more challenges lying ahead. The economy developed rapidly, but not steadily, the national reserves remain low, and Vietnam is vulnerable to global market fluctuations due to poor competitive capacity. These weaknesses should be overcome in the long run.

Reporters: Despite a high economic growth, the development gap between urban and rural areas seems to have widened. How to address this problem?

Mr.Nguyen Minh Triet: It is a common occurrence in countries during the development process. Over the past years, the Party and State have paid special attention to hunger and poverty reduction and the development of education, healthcare, cultural and social services, particularly for social welfare beneficiaries and those in rural areas in order to narrow the gap between rich and poor. Vietnam has made tremendous achievements in poverty reduction, which has been acknowledged by the international community. However, this activity should be carried out frequently and continuously, focusing on both quantity and quality. I believe that with the joint effort from the Party, State and society, together with assistance from domestic and foreign philanthropists and international organisations, poverty reduction programmes will make further progress.

Reporters: 2008 is considered an important year in the 2006-2010 socio-economic development plan. What do you think are the opportunities and challenges for Vietnam?

Mr.Nguyen Minh Triet: All the achievements made by the Vietnamese people in the past 21 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and in 2007 have given fresh impetus and has built up our strength and trust in fulfilling national construction and development tasks. However, in the context of deeper international economic integration and cooperation, besides opportunities, we have still coped with challenges, including our economic weaknesses and global unexpected complications.
To this end, the entire Party, army and people should make a greater effort to seize opportunities and overcome challenges in order to meet major targets set in the 2006-2010 plan in 2008. The immediate task is to mobilise all resources for development investment, along with increasing the competitive capacity and sustainability of the economy, striving to escape the low-income developing economy in 2008. Other tasks are to accelerate administrative reforms and the fight against corruption and wastefulness, better solve socio-cultural issues and environmental protection and defend national sovereignty, political security and social order while integrating deeper into the world economy.

Reporters: What do you think about anti-corruption work in 2007?

Mr.Nguyen Minh Triet: With the strong determination from the Party and State, the engagement of the political system and the great response from the public, the fight against corruption achieved some positive results. Many graft scandals were brought to courts, winning public confidence.  
To prevent corruption and wastefulness, the Central Steering Committee for Corruption Prevention and Control should coordinate closely with the Fatherland Front and other mass organisations and create all the conditions for the people to engage in the fight. The strict observance of law should be heightened to contribute to prevention activities. State agencies and organisations must consider the fight as one of its key tasks and devise practical and specific plans of action to implement.

Reporters: Vietnamese nationals abroad have made a significant contribution to national construction and development. What is your message to them on the occasion of the New Lunar Year?

Mr.Nguyen Minh Triet: Vietnamese nationals abroad are part and parcel of the Vietnamese nation. There is no denying the fact that they have made a great contribution to the homeland’s achievements over the past decades. The Party and State encourage unity between them and their compatriots in the homeland and want them to share the country’s advantages and difficulties. In the context of international integration, I do hope that overseas Vietnamese will join hands with their compatriots in the homeland to build a powerful Vietnam in the international arena by contributing their physical and spiritual resources back to the homeland within their capacity. I call on their children to uphold the predecessors’ tradition, build on national pride in their resident countries and turn their hearts to the homeland. The Party and State will continue to do whatever they can to facilitate links between them and their compatriots in Vietnam.
In celebration of the upcoming traditional Lunar New Year Festival, I would like to send my greetings and best wishes to them.
Upholding the national patriotic and revolutionary tradition and the spirit of diligence and creativeness, the entire Party, army and people are determined to successfully carry out the Renewal process, as well as national industrialisation and modernisation to lift Vietnam out of the underdeveloped nation status for the sake of a rich people, a strong country and an equitable, democratic and civilised society.

Reporters: Thank you.