Speech of Mr Thongsing Thammavong,

President of the National Assembly

in the Second Session of the National Assembly (Sixth Legislature)

(27 December 2006)

Esteemed Members of Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee

                    Members of the National Assembly

Distinguished Lao and Foreign Guests 

The second session of the National Assembly (Sixth Legislature) lasted for 17 days. Thanks to high responsibilities of National Assembly’s members and participants, our session was able to achieve success and fulfill the set target.   The success of this session is one of fruits in translating the policy of the Party stimulated in the resolutions of the VIII Party Congress in general and resolutions of the Third Party Plenum (VIII Party Congress) in particular into laws. It is also a fruit of the organizational improvement and enhancing the National Assembly’s capacity.

Excellency

The main result of the National Assembly’s session is that we considered and adopted three new laws such as Law on Commercial Banks, Law on Protection of Children’s Rights and Interests and Law on Value-added Tax. We also adopted some amended Articles of three promulgated laws such as Law on State Budget, Law on Labour and Law on Court’s Fees. We heard opinions on the government‘s report on the implementation of the rural development programme and poverty reduction and comments on the report of the People’s Supreme Court on considering judgments of people’s courts. We also heard the report of the Public Prosecutor Office on monitoring and inspecting the law enforcement in state and social organisations and citizens. Moreover, the National Assembly’s session deliberated and expressed comments on the NA monitoring and oversight functions for the last six months of the fiscal year of 2006-2007 and authorized the NA Standing Committee to improve and supervise its implementation.  

            The session achieved this success since the National Assembly’s members enhanced their political responsibility, paid attention to deliberate the fundamental issues and expanded their democracy to adopt such issues. This indicates the quality and progress of our National Assembly.         

            On this occasion, on behalf of the session chairman, I express sincere appreciations for the political responsibility of the National Assembly’s members. During the session, we had received proposals and comments directly from public, officials and people, who called the session and expressed their concerns on the organizational improvement and functioning of officials in sectors and the state management with the aim of improving these issues.   

            One more time, I express thanks for useful comments and will forward them to the relevant organisations for further reasonably considering and solving.

Distinguished guests

The issues that were adopted in this session become significant. In particular, the laws are a tool for the state and socio-economic management and justice implementation. This is to make the society to be better.

            The law formulation, amendment and promulgation are important, however, law enforcement play a decisive role.  Therefore, we must enforce the promulgated laws, building awareness of these laws and making them to be functioned within the society.   

            To materialize the session resolutions, I urged the National Assembly’s members as people’s representatives to enhance their political responsibility, operating with party organisations and local authorities to disseminate the resolutions and encourage officials, military and police officers and people to implement them.   

            I urge people from all walks of life across the country to enhance patriotism, spirit of master of the county and unity to carry out the tasks of defending and building the country, function within the bounds of the Constitution and the laws and implement the socio-economic development plan.

            I urge Party and State’s organisations, mass organisations, local authorities, sectors and social organisations to cooperate to create favourable conditions for the National Assembly’s members to expand the role of people’s representative. This aims to fulfil the tasks assigned by the Party, State and people for inspiring officials and people in their constituencies to learn and function with the bounds of the laws.

            I urge friendly countries and international organisations to continue their support to the development of the Lao PDR and build strength of the Lao National Assembly.

            On this occasion, I express sincere thanks to the Party and State leaders and both domestic and foreign guests for sparing time to attend this event.

            I also express thanks to all parties to contribute to the session and make it successful.

            On the occasion, when we are happy with the success of the National Assembly’s session, say good bye the 2006 and welcome the New Year, I wish the Party and State leaders, officials, military and police officers and people of all ethnic groups across the country, diplomatic corps and friends good health, family happiness and success in the noble task.  

            Availing myself of this opportunity; I declare the second session of the National Assembly (Sixth Legislature) closed.

Thank you