(VOVworld) – The 14^th meeting of the 11^th Party Central Committee is discussing final preparations for the 12^th National Party Congress, scheduled for January 20 to January 28. Here’s the gist of the opening speech by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong:

Members of the Party Central Committee discussed the signing of the Trans-pacific Partnership agreement, personnel preparations for the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Party Secretariat of the 12^th tenure. They also approved the 12^th National Party Congress’s tentative Presidium, the Secretariat, and the committee to verify the eligibility of delegates.

Impacts of Vietnam joining TPP

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong said Vietnam has signed a number of free trade agreements to expand its export market, attract more foreign investment, and mobilize resources for development. Vietnam and 11 other countries in the Asia-Pacific region completed 5 years of negotiations on the TPP on October 5, 2015. Once it takes effect, the TPP will be the largest FTA ever.

During this meeting, the politburo will report on preparations for the signing of the TPP to the Party Central Committee for consideration. Mr. Trong said: “We should analyze the possible impacts of the TPP on Vietnam’s politics and national security as well as opportunities and challenges it will create. Discussion topics should include adjustments to laws and policies and plans of action to implement the TPP once it is ratified by the National Assembly.”

Personnel preparations for the 12^th Party Central Committee     

Mr. Trong said the 12^th and 13^th meeting of the 11^th Party Central Committee nominated candidates to the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, and the Party Secretariat of the 12^th tenure. A number of members of the Politburo and Party Secretariat of the 11^th tenure were nominated for re-election.

Mr. Trong said the personnel sub-committee and the Politburo are considering nominating a number of members of the 11^th Party Central Committee for re-election: “We should consider the Politburo’s proposal to complete personnel preparations for the 12^th Party Central Committee, which will be discussed at the 12^th National Party Congress. We should also consider nominees for the 4 key posts of the 12^th tenure.”

Mr. Trong asked members of the 11^th Party Central Committee to have a high sense of responsibility before the Party and the people to ensure the success of the upcoming National Party Congress.