For the second consecutive year, all targets assigned by the National Assembly were achieved and exceeded.

On the morning of October 21, the 8th session of the 14th National Assembly solemnly opened at the National Assembly House, Hanoi.

The National Assembly held a preparatory session to discuss and approve the Working Program of the 8th Session.

General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong; Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc; and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan before the opening session. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA

General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong; Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc; National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Tran Thanh Man... attended the opening session.

Also attending the opening session were former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh; former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; former National Assembly Chairmen Nguyen Van An and Nguyen Sinh Hung.

In her opening speech, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, on behalf of the National Assembly Standing Committee, warmly welcomed leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, and Vietnam Fatherland Front, revolutionary veterans, National Assembly deputies, distinguished guests, representatives of diplomatic corps and international organizations who attended the solemn opening session of the 8th Session of the 14th National Assembly.

The National Assembly Chairman emphasized that the 8th session of the 14th National Assembly took place in the context of complicated and unpredictable developments in the international and regional situation; the world economic growth rate tended to decrease; strategic competition and conflicts of interest between countries increased, posing many potential risks.

Domestically, natural disasters, epidemics, climate change, the recent complicated and unpredictable developments in the East Sea and other unfavorable impacts... have had a significant impact on our country.

However, the socio-economic situation in the first 9 months of 2019 continued to achieve quite comprehensive results: growth was quite high, the macro economy was stable, inflation continued to be well controlled, major balances of the economy were improved, social security was ensured, and people's quality of life was improved.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan delivers the opening speech. (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA)

2019 is the second consecutive year that it is estimated to achieve and exceed all the main targets assigned by the National Assembly; creating a solid foundation for completing the 5-year socio-economic development and state budget plan (2016-2020).

The National Assembly Chairman stated that the above achievements are very important, affirming the correctness of the Party's leadership, and are the result of the determination, consensus, and joint efforts of the entire political system, all levels, sectors, business community, and people nationwide in overcoming difficulties, completing the set goals and targets; continuing to strengthen people's trust in the leadership of the Party and State.

The National Assembly Chairman said that the 8th Session is the year-end session, and the agenda of this session includes many important contents.

Accordingly, the National Assembly reviewed and discussed reports on the results of the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and the state budget in 2019; decided on the socio-economic development plan, state budget estimates, and central budget allocation plan for 2020; and reviewed and decided on the overall project on investment in socio-economic development in ethnic minority, mountainous and economically disadvantaged areas for the 2021-2025 period.

2020 is also the final year, of great significance in completing the 5-year Socio-Economic Development Plan and State Budget 2016-2020.

Therefore, on the basis of an objective and comprehensive assessment of the results achieved, frankly acknowledging the limitations and shortcomings, the National Assembly will research, analyze and discuss thoroughly to propose goals, tasks and solutions with scientific basis and foundation, suitable to the world and domestic situation to promote rapid and sustainable socio-economic development, continue to care for the material and spiritual life of the people; resolutely and persistently protect national sovereignty and territory; maintain political security and social order and safety in the country; actively contribute to building a peaceful, cooperative and developing environment in the region; enhance the country's position in the international arena.

The National Assembly will consider and pass 12 draft laws, codes, 4 draft resolutions, and give opinions on 9 other draft laws in order to promptly institutionalize the Party's policies and guidelines, and the provisions of the 2013 Constitution, contributing to ensuring the unity of the legal system; consolidating regulations on discipline and administrative discipline; perfecting the socialist-oriented market economic institution; ensuring human rights, basic rights and obligations of citizens, improving the investment and business environment, meeting the requirements of socio-economic development, ensuring national defense, security and international integration of the country.

The review and approval of the draft Labor Code (amended) has received great attention from the people and society. The amended and supplemented contents will contribute to resolving practical difficulties and shortcomings; creating a legal framework to promote the development of the labor market in accordance with the new context of integration; better ensuring and harmonizing the legitimate rights and interests of employees and employers...

Along with the draft laws regulating socio-economic issues, at this session, the National Assembly will consider and pass the following draft laws: Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Organization of the National Assembly, Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Government, Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Cadres, Civil Servants, Law on Public Employees... to innovate the organization, arrange and perfect the state apparatus in the direction of streamlining, operating effectively and efficiently, better meeting the requirements of the country's economic development.

Besides, the National Assembly heard a report on foreign affairs in 2019, including the situation in the East Sea.

The National Assembly will also consider ratifying the Supplementary Treaty to the 1985 Treaty on National Boundary Planning and the 2005 Supplementary Treaty between Vietnam and the Kingdom of Cambodia; the Protocol on Land Border Demarcation and Marker Planting between Vietnam and the Kingdom of Cambodia, creating an important legal framework, facilitating socio-economic development and people-to-people exchange between border provinces; contributing to the friendly, peaceful and cooperative relations between Vietnam and the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Delegates attend the opening session of the meeting. Photo: Trong Duc/VNA

The National Assembly will conduct supreme supervision of the implementation of policies and laws on fire prevention and fighting in the 2014-2018 period; review reports summarizing opinions and recommendations of voters and people sent to the 8th Session and the results of supervision of the settlement of recommendations of voters sent to the 7th Session of the 14th National Assembly; work reports of the Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy; reports of the Government on crime prevention and control, law enforcement, and corruption prevention and control in 2019.

The National Assembly will conduct questions and answers from National Assembly deputies, personnel work and decide on a number of other important issues...

A number of reports from the Government, agencies of the National Assembly, Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court, Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuracy, State Audit... have been sent to National Assembly deputies for study and discussion along with related contents.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that recently, relevant agencies and organizations have actively and proactively coordinated to prepare the contents of the 8th Session.

Basically, the projects, drafts and reports have been carefully researched and prepared by the agencies, ensuring quality and sent to the National Assembly delegates.

For the session to achieve the best results, on behalf of the National Assembly Standing Committee, the National Assembly Chairman respectfully requests that National Assembly deputies continue to promote their sense of responsibility towards voters and people, focus their intelligence, spend time researching and discussing thoroughly, and contribute many profound opinions, contributing to the success of the session.

Next, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented a report on the results of the implementation of the 2019 socio-economic development plan and the 2020 socio-economic development plan.

Delegates from Nghe An attend the opening session

Also in the Opening Session, according to the program, Chairman of the National Assembly's Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh presented the Report on the verification and assessment of the results of the implementation of the 2019 socio-economic development plan and the 2020 socio-economic development plan.

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Tran Thanh Man presented a report synthesizing opinions and recommendations of voters and people sent to the 8th session of the 14th National Assembly.

Member of the National Assembly Standing Committee, Head of the National Assembly Standing Committee's Petition Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai presented a report on the results of supervising the settlement of voters' petitions sent to the 7th Session of the 14th National Assembly.