Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung directs military and national defense tasks.

On December 23, speaking at the Conference summarizing military and national defense work in 2014, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized that the entire force needs to effectively carry out training, be ready to respond to any possible situations, be ready to fight and win, and continue to coordinate well with other forces in maintaining political security and social order.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung with leaders of the Ministry of National Defense. (Photo: Trong Duc/VNA)

On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 25th anniversary of National Defense Day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent warm greetings and best wishes to generals, officers, soldiers, defense workers throughout the army, and militia forces nationwide.

In his address outlining some key aspects of the socio-economic situation in 2014, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stated that, among the overall achievements of the country, the Vietnam People's Army has made extremely important contributions.

The army has always been loyal to the Fatherland, the people, the Party, and the regime; always steadfast and unwavering, adhering to all the Party's leadership and the State's laws, united and in agreement, ready to accept difficulties and dangers, and successfully fulfilling its assigned tasks.

Notably, the military has done a good job advising the Party, the State, and local governments on military and defense matters; quickly absorbing and mastering modern equipment and weapons; maintaining a high level of combat readiness; and effectively fulfilling the task of protecting national independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, especially protecting maritime sovereignty and islands.

In addition, the People's Army has also done a good job in mass mobilization work, assisting the people in production, economic development, education, healthcare, rural development, and helping people in disaster prevention, flood control, and rescue operations.

Emphasizing the assessment that the global and regional situation will continue to be complex, unpredictable, and difficult to forecast, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stated: "We have no other choice but to successfully accomplish two strategic tasks: building and developing the country's socio-economic system for a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, fairness, and civilization; and at the same time, maintaining political and social stability, and firmly protecting the independence, sovereignty, and sacred territory of the Fatherland."

With that general spirit in mind, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requested that leaders at all levels in the military clarify and elaborate on military and national defense tasks, as well as army building tasks for 2015.

First and foremost, we must improve our intelligence gathering and provide better advice to the Party and the State on military and national defense matters, while also improving our ability to receive and master modern equipment, weapons, and technology.

"Ultimately, our progress towards a regular and modern military force hinges on the human factor. Without people mastering technology, no modern technology can be effectively utilized. Mastering technology is essential to increasing national defense potential, combat strength, and self-defense capabilities," the Prime Minister instructed.

In addition, we must continue to strongly promote the development of the defense industry, paying attention to the maintenance, repair, and new production of equipment for the armed forces in a focused and targeted manner to enhance national defense potential, self-defense capabilities, and combat readiness.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung requested that the sector continue to do a good job in mass mobilization work, supporting and assisting the people in economic, cultural, educational, and healthcare development, building new rural areas, and playing a leading role in search and rescue operations and disaster prevention. He also urged continued effective implementation of defense diplomacy, thereby contributing to the country's overall foreign policy, building a peaceful, stable, and friendly environment, and serving the cause of national construction and development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also noted that the military should continue to do a good job in Party building and political work, uphold the tradition of unity and solidarity, build a revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern army, ready to fight for the Fatherland, while also paying attention to increasing production and developing the economy, and better caring for the material and spiritual lives of officers and soldiers throughout the army.

During the conference, delegates noted that in 2014, the Ministry of National Defense and Party committees at all levels focused on comprehensive leadership and guidance, successfully achieving the set goals and tasks. In particular, they advised the Party and State on effectively carrying out military and national defense tasks, proactively assessing, forecasting, and correctly handling situations, preventing any passive or unexpected developments, especially in the struggle to protect maritime sovereignty and firmly safeguard the sacred independence and territorial sovereignty of the Fatherland.

According to VNA