Announcement of the results of the 5th session of the 13th National Assembly

Following the closing session of the 5th National Assembly meeting on the afternoon of June 21st, the National Assembly Office held a meeting to announce the results of the session.

At the press conference, Mr. Nguyen Sy Dung, Deputy Head of the National Assembly Office, stated that at the 5th session of the 13th National Assembly, nine draft laws and two resolutions were discussed and passed. These are: the Law on Grassroots Mediation; the Law on Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Relief; the Law on Counter-Terrorism; the Law on Science and Technology (amended); the Law on National Defense and Security Education; the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Residence; the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Corporate Income Tax; the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Value Added Tax; the Law amending and supplementing Article 170 of the Law on Enterprises; the Resolution adjusting the legislative and ordinance drafting program for the 13th National Assembly term, 2013 and the legislative and ordinance drafting program for 2014; and the Resolution extending the land use term for annual crop land, aquaculture land, and salt production land of households and individuals.

The National Assembly's adoption of the nine draft laws and resolutions mentioned above has made a significant contribution to building and perfecting our country's legal system, meeting the requirements of socio-economic development and international integration.

Thus, compared to the planned agenda, the draft Law on Land (amended) was not passed at this session. The reason is that the draft Law on Land (amended) is an important law with a significant impact on the socio-economic life of the country and all citizens. Some contents of the draft Law are related to the draft amendment to the 1992 Constitution. Currently, the draft amendment to the 1992 Constitution is being revised based on feedback from the people, National Assembly deputies, and relevant agencies and organizations. Therefore, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly proposes that the National Assembly allow the draft Law on Land (amended) to be passed after the 1992 Constitution (amended) is passed at the 6th session and to take effect from July 1, 2014.

However, the decision on when to pass the amended Land Law at the 6th session will be related to the provisions in the current Land Law regarding the land use term for annual crops, aquaculture, and salt production. Accordingly, most of the land allocated expired on October 15, 2013. Based on the submission of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the National Assembly passed a Resolution extending the land use term for annual crops, aquaculture, and salt production for households and individuals.

At this session, the National Assembly held a vote of confidence for the first time and also passed Resolution No. 44/2013/QH13 dated June 11, 2013, confirming the results of the vote of confidence for those holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly. Accordingly, the National Assembly conducted a vote of confidence for 47 out of 49 people holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly (excluding the two individuals holding the positions of State Auditor General and Minister of Finance, who were newly elected or approved by the National Assembly at this session and, according to the provisions of Resolution No. 35/2012/QH13, were not subject to a vote of confidence at this session).

The confidence vote was conducted seriously, in accordance with its purpose, principles, and procedures; the voting process was made public for media outlets to monitor and report on. The results of the confidence vote were announced through mass media. Public opinion and voters highly appreciated the National Assembly's organization of the confidence vote, considering it a necessary measure and an important form of parliamentary oversight.

According to voters, the vote of confidence will be an opportunity for those holding positions elected or approved by the National Assembly to look at and strive to do their best. This clearly demonstrates the openness and transparency of an institution moving towards progress, contributing to building a state of the people, by the people, and for the people.

At the 5th session of the 13th National Assembly, the questioning and answering sessions between National Assembly deputies and members of the Government always attracted the attention and close monitoring of a large number of voters and people nationwide. Accordingly, this session included 203 questions from 89 National Assembly deputies on various aspects of social life, mainly focusing on areas such as agriculture, culture, education, labor, and justice.

Before the National Assembly proceeded with the question-and-answer session, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan presented a report on the implementation of the National Assembly's resolutions on question-and-answer sessions.

The National Assembly spent 2.5 days conducting question-and-answer sessions. Specifically, the National Assembly allocated two days to question four ministers and heads of agencies: Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat; Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh; Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen; and Chief Procurator of the Supreme People's Procuracy Nguyen Hoa Binh.

The National Assembly allocated half a day for Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to speak, clarify some issues, and directly answer questions from National Assembly deputies. Several other ministers and heads of agencies also participated in explaining and clarifying related issues.

Based on the results of the questioning session, the National Assembly issued a Resolution on the questioning and answers to the questions.

In addition, the National Assembly issued a Resolution on the results of the supervision: "The implementation of the Law on Practicing Thrift and Combating Waste in the Use of Government Bond Funds for Basic Construction Investment, 2006-2012"; and issued a Resolution on the National Assembly's supervision program for 2014.

According to (vov.vn) - LT