The approval came as the committee wrapped up its week-long tenth meeting in Hanoi on Saturday (04 July 2009).

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh said the country had been able to accomplish all of the targets and tasks set for the 2006-2010 period even though it still had one and a half years to go.

In his closing speech, the Party chief said the contents discussed and decided at this meeting were important and fundamental for the Party in making preparations for its 11th National Congress set for the first half of January 2011.

The country has made the most of the opportunities and advantages it had to weather difficulties and challenges to gain great achievements in 2001-2010, he was quoted by the Vietnam News Agency.

Committee members at the meeting also identified orientations and major targets for the 2011-2020 national socio-economic development strategy which will set the course for the country to speed up modernization and industrialization in a sustainable manner, and become industrialized by 2020.

The strategy will work towards maintaining a stable, democratic and contented society and political life, improving people’s spiritual and material life, firmly defending national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and heightening its position in the international arena.