The thoughts of a veteran diplomat

Veteran diplomat and former Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien shares his favorite things from the Prime Minister's New Year Message.

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien argued that we negotiated and signed the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) and participated in deeper integration, but the current mechanism still has constraints and is not really suitable for development. Therefore, we need a drastic movement with drastic measures to do it.

Regarding another major issue in the Prime Minister's Message, Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien shared: "What I appreciate is that the Prime Minister's Message also emphasized the people's right to mastery. Because we have said that the people are the root for a long time, since the 6th Party Congress in 1986."

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien mentioned a report that he was very fond of that was recently broadcast on television. The report talked about the democratic reforms in Thanh Van commune (Thanh Oai district, Hanoi), when the leaders of the commune swore never to touch the people's interests. This is what made the people very respectful and trusting. From that, he believed that the State must create motivation for the people to promote their right to mastery. Because this is what makes the strength of the nation. In his opinion, all types of weapons, no matter how modern, cannot compare to the strength of the people.

Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien analyzed that the current situation in the country and the world is still difficult, requiring us to make great efforts. The difficulty is to see the path, find the idea, and we have done it. Now we need measures to promote and implement that idea more actively.

To do that, first of all, requires unity within the Party from will to action. As in changing the regime, there must be solutions to promote democracy, both direct and indirect democracy. However, whether direct or indirect, the will of the people must still be expressed.

“I completely agree with the issue raised by the Prime Minister, which is to expand direct democracy and perfect the mechanism for electing the National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels. We must soon pilot the direct election of the People's Committee Chairman of the commune according to Resolution 5 of the 10th Central Committee. At the same time, we must perfect the mechanism of social criticism, increase people's participation in the policy-making process and select officials. Improve the quality of questioning activities of the National Assembly, People's Councils at all levels and the accountability of heads of policy-making agencies,” Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien expressed.

He also believes that the direct election of the Chairman of the Commune People's Committee should be done on a mass basis, the elected person should represent the will of the people and the people should look at the capacity of that person to vote. Later on, in the field of indirect democracy, the National Assembly deputies must represent the will and aspirations of the people. We must give the National Assembly deputies more power, so that they can work more independently because most of our National Assembly deputies are non-professional.

Another important point is that the Prime Minister's Message emphasizes the role of the young generation, the generation that is and will play a decisive role in the development and destiny of the country. The young generation of Vietnam is also increasingly intelligent, this is an extremely great asset of the country.

From the accumulated experiences, we will draw lessons to take the next solid steps. As for the issue of corruption prevention, we need to be more drastic.

Expressing optimism about 2014, Mr. Nguyen Dy Nien believes that our country will grow stronger than in 2013, especially when we bring the Message of the Head of Government into life, because this is also the policy of our Party and State for the stronger development of the country in the coming time.

According to chinhphu.vn