Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of ForeignAffairs Pham Quang Hieu suggested increasing comprehensive, long-term measuresto support overseas Vietnamese, especially those in extremely disadvantagedareas, while addressing a thematic conference in Hanoi on November 29.

The conference, held by the Party delegation to the Ministryof Foreign Affairs, looked into OVs affairs in service of the review of the 20-yearimplementation of the 9-tenure Party Central Committee’s Resolution No. N23-NQ/TWdated March 12, 2003 on promoting the strength of the great national unitybloc, for a strong country, wealthy people, and a fair, democratic, andcivilised society.

Hieu, who is also Chairman of the State Committee forOverseas Vietnamese Affairs, proposed improving the efficiency of citizenprotection, and stronger coordination between ministries, agencies andlocalities in managing and educating Vietnamese labourers and students abroad.  

Consolidating legal documents and reformingadministrative procedures will help to lure more OVs home, he said, adding thatresources from OVS should be further tapped.

The official also highlighted quick response in theinformation work in order to oppose distorted allegations.   

Hieu affirmed that the Vietnamese community abroad formsan integral part of the great national unity bloc, and that staying united withOVs is the task and responsibility of the entire political system and all people,with Party organisations playing the key role.

Ngo Trinh Ha, Vice Chairman of the committee, reportedthat the OVs work has reaped significant outcomes, saying the Vietnamesecommunity abroad has been growing and their legal status, economic conditions,position and reputation in host countries have been improved.

OVs have tightened their bonds with the homeland andactively contributed to national construction and defence, he continued,lauding their role as friendship bridges between Vietnam and countriesworldwide.

Reviewing activities for OVs, the report also pointed toshortcomings in the work regarding the supplementation, perfection andimplementation of relevant mechanisms, policies and legal regulations,especially those on nationality, investment attraction, and incentives for OVswho are experts and intellectuals, along with issues relating to support to OVsin integrating into host countries, and the management of overseas Vietnamesestudents and labourers.

The participants proposed further consolidatingpolicies and laws to create conditions for OVs to contribute to the homeland,and optimising resources from the community for national construction,especially their “soft” resources./.