Hanoi (VNA) - Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc has applauded the achievements of the people’s public securityforce in the first half of 2020 which, he said, greatly helped ensure politicalsecurity, social order and safety, and, especially, COVID-19 control.

He made the remarks at the Central PublicSecurity Party Committee’s meeting in Hanoi on June 25, which reviewed theforce’s performance in the first half and specified key tasks for the remainderof the year.

A report tabled at the event noted that theCentral Public Security Party Committee has given timely advice to the Partyand the State to issue and successfully carry out guidelines and viewpoints on nationalsecurity safeguarding, guarantee social order and safety, resolve challenges,and minimise the negative impacts of complex changes in the region and theworld, thereby helping to create a peaceful and stable environment forsocio-economic development, expanding external relations and promoting thecountry’s stature.

Facing complex developments from COVID-19, thepublic security force was on the frontlines of the fight.

Police nationwide have enhanced the battleagainst crime, helping to bring down the number of social order offences by 8.4percent against the same period of 2019. They have also cracked down on 19,720criminal cases, 11,214 violations of economic management regulations, 123corruption cases, 13,747 infringements of environmental law, and 14,032 drug crimes.

Addressing the meeting, PM Phuc asked the forceto maintain a firm grasp on global and regional circumstances and proactivelytake action to ensure absolute security and safety at important political,cultural, and social events in the country, in particular the all-level Partycongresses, the 13th National Party Congress, and activities during Vietnam’sASEAN Chairmanship in 2020, non-permanent membership of the UN Security Councilfor 2020-2021, and Chairmanship of the 41st General Assembly of the ASEANInter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).

He directed the Ministry of Public Security topush ahead with preventing and cracking down on crime, protecting social orderand safety, and boosting cooperation with international partners to effectivelydeal with drug-related crime.

The PM also told it to continue taking the leadin realising the Party Central Committee, National Assembly, and Governmentresolutions and directions on Party building and rectification, and politicalsystem reorganisation, thus building an incorruptible and strong publicsecurity force with high capacity.

He also expressed his belief that the force wouldfulfil every duty and deserve its status as a key and trustworthy force loyalto the Party, the State, and the people./.