Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (right) attends the 75th founding anniversary of the public security intelligence force on Tuesday. — Photo cand.com.vn

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday presented the first-class National Defence Order to the intelligence team of the public security force on its 75th founding anniversary.

He said that over the past 75 years, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, officers and soldiers of the intelligence force have brought into full play the intelligence tradition of their predecessors and recorded various achievements, contributing to national liberation, reunification and safeguarding.

To fulfil the heavy responsibilities assigned by the Party, State, Ministry of Public Security, and people, he urged the force to be well aware of the situation and its tasks while following and serving the Party and State’s leadership and governance.

The people’s public security intelligence force must always put itself under the Party’s absolute and direct leadership in all aspects, the State President’s command, the Prime Minister’s united governance and direction, and the Minister of Public Security’s direct management, PM Phúc said.

The force must build an action programme to carry out the Resolution of the coming 13th National Party Congress, have a better grasp of the situation, and improve strategic counselling to meet new requirements in the national development and defence process, the PM said.

The force was also requested to take action to help enhance Việt Nam’s relations with external partners and promote the country’s position and prestige, serving the cause of national industrialisation and modernisation.

PM Phúc also asked for increased education in terms of politics, tradition, revolutionary morality and occupational skills for intelligence officers, as well as the building of a contingent of intelligence officers with firm political mettle, steadfastness, and absolute loyalty to the Party, Fatherland, and people, ready to sacrifice for the Party and nation’s revolutionary cause, and have a sharp vision and outstanding qualifications to fulfil both short- and long-term tasks.

The Government leader expressed his belief that under the Party’s leadership, the people’s public security intelligence force will obtain even greater achievements, contributing to the cause of national construction and defence and deserving the Party, State, and people’s trust.

On February 21, 1946, President Hồ Chí Minh signed Decree No 23/SL on unifying public security units nationwide into the Việt Nam Công an vụ (Public Security Department of Việt Nam) and regulating tasks for it, including intelligence affairs. — VNS