Closing of the 5th Session of the 13th National Assembly

At this session, the National Assembly discussed and passed 9 draft laws and 2 resolutions.

After 27 days of work conducted in a democratic and highly responsible manner, on the afternoon of June 21, National Assembly delegates held the closing session of the 5th session of the 13th National Assembly.

Speaking at the closing session, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung emphasized: At this session, the National Assembly devoted time to discussing the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for 2012 and the first six months of 2013.

With a sense of responsibility to the people and to meet the demands of national development, the National Assembly delegates objectively and profoundly assessed what had been achieved and what had not, the causes of existing shortcomings and weaknesses, and proposed many practical solutions to overcome them in the future.

The National Assembly welcomes the determination of the Government, ministries, levels, the business community, and the entire population, who, despite many unfavorable aspects of the domestic and global economic situation, have strived to achieve remarkable results.

The National Assembly requests the Government, all levels, sectors, and localities to focus on implementing the overall economic restructuring plan effectively in the remaining months of the year; to create positive changes in all aspects; to gradually overcome difficulties and promote production and business development; to ensure more stable macroeconomic conditions, reduce bad debts and inventories, create more jobs, ensure social security, national defense, security, and social order and safety...; and to strive to best complete the main goals and targets of the 2013 socio-economic development plan, opening up prospects for the best implementation of the 2011-2016 five-year socio-economic development plan.

In accordance with the National Assembly's Resolution, the draft amendments to the 1992 Constitution have recently been published for public comment. This important event has become a widespread political and legal activity throughout the nation, attracting deep interest and support from compatriots and soldiers nationwide, as well as Vietnamese people abroad.

On behalf of the National Assembly, Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung welcomed and sincerely thanked the people at home and abroad for their enthusiastic response and many heartfelt and insightful contributions to the draft amendment of the Constitution. The Committee for Drafting the Amendment of the Constitution has fully, objectively, and truthfully gathered and synthesized the opinions of the people; seriously studied, absorbed, and specifically explained these opinions to revise the draft amendment of the Constitution for submission to the National Assembly.

At this session, with their wisdom and dedication, and based on the opinions of the people, the National Assembly delegates democratically and frankly discussed, with a high sense of responsibility, the contents of the Draft Constitution, especially the fundamental issues related to the nature of the State and the political system of our country, to the people's right to self-governance, human rights, and the rights and obligations of the people.

The National Assembly requests the Constitutional Amendment Drafting Committee and relevant agencies and organizations to seriously study and incorporate the opinions of National Assembly deputies; and to continue receiving feedback from the people until September 30, 2013, in order to finalize the draft amendment to the Constitution for submission to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at the 6th session. With the determination of the entire Party and the entire people, we will certainly build a Constitution that reflects the will and aspirations of the people, meeting the requirements of building, protecting, and developing the country in the new era.

The National Assembly considered and passed nine laws and resolutions adjusting the legislative program for the 13th National Assembly term in 2013 and the legislative program for the 2014 term; and provided opinions on eight other draft laws. These are important draft laws that contribute to promoting socio-economic development, science and technology, strengthening national defense and security, and sustainable development of the country. The National Assembly requested the Government and relevant agencies and organizations to seriously research and summarize practical experiences when proposing the promulgation of laws and ordinances; to promptly implement and issue complete guiding documents for the implementation of the passed laws and ordinances; to strengthen propaganda, dissemination, and education so that the laws can be put into practice as soon as possible; and for the National Ethnic Council and the Committees of the National Assembly to focus on effectively supervising the implementation of laws as prescribed by law.

The draft Land Law is a very important law, directly impacting the economy, politics, society, stability, development of the country, and the lives of all citizens. The draft law was submitted to the National Assembly for comments at its 4th session and public consultations were held. At this session, based on public contributions, the practical implementation of the Law in localities, the draft amendments to the Constitution, and the Party and State's orientations for reforming land policies and laws, the National Assembly spent time discussing and carefully considering all aspects of this draft law, especially issues related to the draft Constitution, and decided to further refine it and submit it to the National Assembly for consideration and approval at its 6th session.

The confidence vote process was conducted cautiously and seriously.

At this session, for the first time in its history, the National Assembly conducted a vote of confidence for those holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly. The vote of confidence was implemented cautiously and seriously, in accordance with the content, process, and procedures stipulated in the National Assembly Resolution and the guidelines of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly. The entire process of the vote of confidence was conducted democratically, openly, and transparently so that the public and voters nationwide could monitor and supervise it.

In fulfilling their responsibilities, the National Assembly delegates took the time to study, gather information, discuss, and carefully, objectively, and impartially assess the level of confidence in the individuals subject to the National Assembly's confidence vote.

The results of the National Assembly's confidence vote accurately reflected the socio-economic situation, national defense, security, foreign affairs, and judicial activities of the country. This is also a valuable experience for responsible agencies and organizations at the central and local levels, and People's Councils at all levels, to consider and apply when conducting confidence votes for those holding positions elected by the People's Councils in the future; ensuring enhanced effectiveness and efficiency of oversight by elected bodies and meeting the expectations of the people.

The National Assembly conducted supreme oversight of the implementation of the Law on Practicing Thrift and Combating Waste in the Use of Government Bond Funds for Basic Construction Investment during the period 2006-2012 and issued a Resolution on the results of the aforementioned thematic oversight, and a Resolution on the oversight program for 2014.

The National Assembly heard Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan report on the results of implementing the National Assembly's resolutions on interpellation and answers at the 4th session; conducted interpellation sessions with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Chief Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuracy; Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc reported on additional issues and directly answered questions from National Assembly deputies. The interpellation session was democratic, open, responsible, and characterized by constructive debate and dialogue. National Assembly deputies asked frank and focused questions, concentrating on major issues of concern to voters nationwide.

Ministers and heads of agencies have basically addressed the issues raised by National Assembly deputies and, with a sense of responsibility to the people, have offered some specific solutions to overcome them. The National Assembly has issued a Resolution on questioning and answering questions, requesting the Government, the Prime Minister, members of the Government, and the Chief Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuracy to continue to implement positive solutions to fulfill the promises made to the National Assembly and the people and voters nationwide at previous and current sessions, and to report to the National Assembly at the 6th session.

At this session, the National Assembly also considered and decided on a number of high-ranking personnel elected or approved by the National Assembly, as well as other important matters.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung stated that the 5th session of the National Assembly was a great success, enjoying the trust, agreement, and support of the people. On behalf of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung thanked the leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front, the veteran revolutionaries, and distinguished guests for taking the time to attend the session and for their continued interest and contributions to the National Assembly's activities; he also thanked the Central Party Committee for its regular leadership and guidance, the close coordination of the Government, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuracy, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front; and expressed gratitude for the active and effective work of the National Assembly's agencies, the National Assembly delegations, the National Assembly deputies, the voters and people nationwide, all sectors, levels, organizations, press agencies, and service units that significantly contributed to the success of the session.

Previously, the National Assembly passed a Resolution on extending the land use term for annual crops, aquaculture, and salt production land for households and individuals with 474 votes in favor (95.18%); a Resolution on the results of monitoring "The implementation of the Law on practicing thrift and combating waste in the use of government bond capital for basic construction investment, 2006-2012" with 478 votes in favor (95.98%); and a Resolution on questioning and answering questions at the 5th session of the 13th National Assembly with 472 votes in favor (94.78%).

According to (vov.vn) - LT