President Tran Duc Luong's interview with VNA on New Year



Ha Noi, Dec. 30 (VNA) -- "Many valuable lessons can be drawn from the realities over the past year but the biggest one is to count on the people and work for the people," says President Tran Duc Luong.

In a New Year interview with the Viet Nam News Agency, the President dwelt on main issues relating to the countryEs socio-economic development in 2000, foreign policies of the Party and the State, and prospects of the country at the turn of the new century.

This year witnessed great efforts by the entire people to cope with difficulties caused by natural disasters in different parts of the country: lingering floods in the Mekong Delta and flash floods in central coastal and Central Highlands regions and northern mountain provinces, which caused considerable losses of life and property.

The year also saw the country celebrate many major national anniversaries: the 70th Party anniversary, 55th National Day, President Ho Ch