LOME, April 27 (Xinhua) -- Faure Gnassingbe, Togo's president of the Council of Ministers, on Monday called for strengthening security, national cohesion and bolstering development.

Gnassingbe outlined the major orientations of public action on the occasion of the country's 66th independence anniversary, highlighting the concepts of "protect, unite and transform."

He specified that the "protect" concept aims to bolster security, particularly in the northern part of the country, as well as to improve the population's access to basic services such as water, energy and health.

The "unite" concept refers to strengthening national cohesion, notably through the reduction of territorial inequalities and dialogue between authorities and citizens.

The "transform" concept focuses on the modernization of agriculture, economic development and the training of young people.

Gnassingbe also stressed that independence is not a mere achievement but a permanent responsibility that requires the means for concrete action to master the country's collective destiny. ■