Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc attended the nationalpolitical-military conference for the first half of the year in Hanoi on June24.

PM Phuc reviewedVietnam’s socio-economic performance in the period, including initial successesin the fight against COVID-19, saying that it has been partly attributable tothe Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).

Aschallenges remain, especially those in protecting Vietnam’s sovereignty of seasand islands and addressing non-traditional security issues and sabotage schemesby hostile and reactionary forces, he urged each army official, officer andsoldier to uphold the country’s tradition of patriotism and sense ofsolidarity, contributing to safeguarding independence, sovereignty, andterritorial integrity as well as protecting the Party, State, people, andsocialism.

Chief ofthe General Staff of the VPA and Deputy Minister of National Defence SeniorLieutenant General Phan Van Giang told the conference that the army has takenthe lead in combating COVID-19, overcoming the consequences of naturaldisasters, conducting search and rescue efforts, and responding to environmentalpollution.

The combatpower of the army has improved and meets requirements for national protectionin the new circumstances, he said, adding that officers and soldiers remain unitedand place absolute trust in the Party’s leadership, and stand ready to fulfil alltasks.

TheMinistry of National Defence has effectively conducted external defenceactivities during Vietnam’s ASEAN Chair Year and tenure as a non-permanentmember of the UN Security Council, he said.

Bilateraland multilateral cooperation saw breakthroughs, contributing to maintaining anenvironment of peace and stability for national construction and development,Giang added.

For theremainder of this year, the Central Military Commission and Ministry ofNational Defence have set several directions, including making early forecaststo offer timely advice to the Party and State, especially in strategic areas, andeffectively realising resolutions and laws and submitting the Vietnam BorderGuard Law and a Resolution on Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeepingoperations to the National Assembly for approval.

TheMinistry of National Defence will work with ministries and agencies toeffectively realise the Politburo’s conclusions on national defence-securitystrategies, improve the quality of militia and self-defence forces, and maintaincombat readiness to protect the country’s territorial waters, air and cyberspace.

Agenciesand units were also assigned to prepare for the upcoming Party congresses atall levels.

In externaldefence activities, the army will effectively continue with global integration,especially during Vietnam’s ASEAN Chair Year in 2020, with priority given toneighbouring, ASEAN, and traditional and developed countries, he added./.