Addressing the meeting, Mr Trong stressed that the 11^th National Party Congress was greatly successful thanks to enthusiastic contributions from the entire Party, people and armed forces and the sound leadership of the previous Central Committee.

The General Secretary thanked the former senior officials, especially former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, for having led the whole country to attain important socio-economic achievements.

The Party chief expressed his wish that the former leaders will continuously contribute their enthusiasm, knowledge and experience to the glorious cause of the Party, State and people and assist the current leaders.

Mr Trong pledged that the new Politburo and Central Committee of the Vietnamese Communist Party will do their utmost to serve the Fatherland and people and to turn Vietnam into a modern industrialized country.