14th National Assembly’s first session wraps up

Hanoi (VNA) – The first session of the 14th National Assembly (NA) wrapped up in Hanoi on July 29 after eight days of sitting.

Attending the closing ceremony were Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, former Party General Secretaries Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh, President Tran Dai Quang, former Presidents Le Duc Anh and Tran Duc Luong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, former PM Nguyen Tan Dung, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, and former NA Chairmen Nguyen Van An and Nguyen Sinh Hung, among others.

Speaking at the event, NA Chairwoman Ngan said that during this session, with the spirit of responsibility and democracy, the legislative body fulfilled its main tasks of considering and electing senior personnel of State agencies in conformity with legal regulations.

The legislature elected the NA Chairwoman, NA Vice Chairpersons, NA General Secretary, State Auditor General, as well as State President, Vice President, Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, and Procurator General of the Supreme People's Procuracy.

It also voted the Prime Minister and approved the PM’s proposal on the appointment of Deputy PMs and other members of the Government, and the President’s proposal on a list of the vice chairmen and members of the NA’s National Defence and Security Council, Ngan stated.

During the session, lawmakers heard the Government’s supplementary report on the implementation of socio-economic tasks in 2015 and the first months of 2016.

They acknowledged efforts by the Government in socio-economic management and its achievements, including stable macro-economy, curbed inflation, and maintained political security and social safety and order.

However, deputies pointed out to shortcomings and weaknesses in each sector, analysing opportunities and challenges facing the economy and people, such as climate change, environment pollution, particularly the recent environmental incident caused by the Formosa Ha Tinh Company, and the East Sea situation.

According to the top legislator, deputies approved the balance sheet of the 2014 State budget, while requesting the Government to carry out more drastic measures to address weaknesses in managing budget collection and spending, reducing overspending, and ensuring public debt safety.

The NA also adopted a resolution adjusting the 2016 law and ordinance making programme and the law and ordinance making programme for 2017.

The NA Chairwoman stressed that in the time ahead, the 14th legislature needs to reform to increase the quality and efficiency of its operations to fulfil its tasks.

Each NA deputy and each NA agency need to listen to voters’ opinions and contribute actively to the body’s operations, she suggested.

She called on Vietnamese people both at home and abroad to maintain the patriotic tradition and national unity and actively grasp international cooperation opportunities to boost socio-economic development, ensure political security and social order and safety, protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, thus helping develop the country comprehensively and sustainably and implement the 12th National Party Congress’s Resolution successfully.

The head of the 14th NA took the occasion to thank for efforts and contributions made by former leaders, members of the Standing Committee, the Council for Ethnic Affairs, the committees of the 13th legislature to national construction, safeguarding and development.-VNA