HÀ NỘI — Supporting people living in poverty and vulnerable groups is a priority for Việt Nam, said deputy justice minister Nguyễn Khánh Ngọc during a conference held between the Ministry of Justice and the Delegation of the European Union to Việt Nam on Thursday in Hà Nội.

The Government of Việt Nam will continue to work to ensure that poor people and vulnerable groups are not excluded from the benefits of development and can play an active role in the country’s social, cultural and political activities, said the deputy minister.

He said this is in line with the spirit of the 2013 Constitution and numerous laws enforced by the country to improve civil and human rights, especially those that emphasise the rights of poor people and vulnerable groups.

Head of the EU delegation Bruno Angelet said the dialogue between the justice ministry and the delegation was an important mechanism to improve transparency in judicial activities.

With more than 20 years of co-operation between the two sides in legal affairs, the EU delegation confirmed its commitment to support Việt Nam in developing public services with an emphasis on the inclusion of the people, civil groups and the private sector.

UN Resident Coordinator and United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative to Việt Nam Kamal Malhotra stressed the importance of providing legal support to poor people and vulnerable groups as their ability to afford legal consults is often limited. Malhotra said Việt Nam’s revised Law on Legal Aid has set the foundation to assist poor people and vulnerable groups to access legal aid and more public services.

During the conference, which has been an annual exchange between Việt Nam and its international partners since 2004, more than 120 delegates and experts shared insights and experience in domestic and international practices in securing legal aid and the implementation of the laws to protect and support poor people and vulnerable groups. — VNS