The implementation of a prime ministerial directive on tasks regardingProtestantism in northwest Vietnam over the past ten years has helpedstabilise the situation in the region and the country as a whole.

A conference reviewing the implementation of Directive No.01/2005/CT-TTg on tasks regarding Protestantism, issued by then PrimeMinister Phan Van Khai on February 4, 2005, was held in northwest YenBai province on July 24.

It was attended byofficials of ministries, central agencies and 14 provinces covered bythe Steering Committee for the Northwest Region.

A report at the function revealed that the 14 provinces, includingcentral Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, house more than 1,300 Protestant groupswith over 193,000 followers.

Participants saidthe ten-year implementation of the directive has proved that relatedParty guidelines and State policies regarding Protestantism arerighteous, timely and in line with the specific context in thenorthwest, contributing to regional stability.

The directive has stimulated Protestants’ engagement in povertyelimination activities, improved their relationship with secularcommunities and promoted local State agencies’ management of religiousaffairs.

Attending officials agreed on the needto continue encouraging local residents to comply with Party guidelinesand State policies and laws, especially those concerning socio-economicdevelopment.

Regional provinces will ask theParty and State to support the increase of Party membership amongProtestants, especially the ethnic H’Mong people. They will alsoconsider the establishment of boards for religious affairs under theprovincial People’s Committees to improve management of the issue.

Local authorities will strictly punish schemes and actions that takeadvantage of religious matters to mar national solidarity while workingharder to provide jobs, reduce poverty and raise awareness of ethnics ingeneral and Protestants in particular, the officials added.-VNA