HA NOI — Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on Tuesday reaffirmed the Party and Government’s unswerving commitment to freedom of religious and non-religious belief.
Both the Party and the State actively encouraged religious activities, for the sake of the nation and people, he said.
The PM told Protestant Minister Pham Xuan Thieu that he hoped believers and atheists in Viet Nam would co-operate and forge unity throughout the nation.
Thieu, head of the General Council of the Evangelical Church of South Viet Nam, is leading a working visit of the church’s executive board to meet with central authorities in Ha Noi.
Khai congratulated the Evangelical Church of South Viet Nam on its successful congress held in HCM City in February.
He praised the contributions of the nation’s different religions, and the Evangelical Church in particular, for their efforts to build and defend the nation.
Thieu thanked the prime minister and the Government for their valuable support in organising the church’s congress.
He vowed the church would encourage its 500,000 followers to build their religion in line with the principles of evangelic life, God, the nation and motherland.
PM Khai briefed the visiting delegation on the country’s socio-economic development since it embarked on the doi moi (renovation) policy.
Chairman of the Government’s Board for Religion Le Quang Vinh also attended the reception.
The Evangelical Church of South Viet Nam was officially granted legal status by the Government last April. — VNS