Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc discussed socio-economic issues, national defence and security, and external affairs during a working session with the teaching staff of the National Defence Academy in Hanoi on November 26.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

He lauded the army for its role in searching for and rescuing victims during the recent historic floods and for contributing to basically fulfilling the dual goals of fighting COVID-19 and maintaining socio-economic development.

Vietnam is currently recording one of the highest growth rates in the world, he said, noting that the national macro-economy is stable, inflation is under control, and trade surplus has surpassed US$20 billion.

Regarding the 37th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings, the PM said it was one of the country’s most important political-external events and the foremost event during its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.

PN Phuc chaired and co-chaired 15 high-level conferences and 10 high-level sideline meetings. The summit adopted over 80 documents; the most so far.

Participants adopted new measures on COVID-19 prevention and control based on initiatives from Vietnam, such as the ASEAN fund for COVID-19 response, a regional reserve of medical supplies, and a comprehensive recovery plan during and after the pandemic.

The summit also approved the ASEAN roadmap to the future and the Hanoi Declaration on the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, with aspirations to lay a solid foundation for regional development.

The East Sea issue was also mentioned, in regards to peace, stability, law abidance, the guarantee of maritime and aviation freedom, and the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, towards a practical, effective, and legal Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

In particular, the 10 ASEAN member states and five partner countries signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), the world’s largest free trade deal, covering 2.2 billion people (about 30% of the global population) and 30% of the world’s GDP.

The leader said prioritised targets had been met and even surpassed, thus laying the groundwork for the bloc to continue developing into the future, adding that Vietnam played an important role in all meetings.

He hailed the academy for fulfilling the tasks assigned to it by the Central Military Commission and the Defence Ministry.

He required the academy to continue fighting wrongful and hostile allegations, especially at a time when important events are to take place, such as the 13th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly.

Towards the 76th anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 31st anniversary of the All-People Defence Festival, the PM affirmed that the Party, State and army will continue with drastic reform to effectively pool and use every resource, creating a new driving force for rapid and sustainable development.