National Assembly opens its third session
The National Assembly (NA) (sixth legislature) opens its third session in Vientiane Capital on Monday morning, 18 June 2007, presided over Mr Thongsing Thammavong, NA President and attended by Mr Choummaly Saiyasone, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, President of the Lao PDR and Politburo Members, cabinet members, representatives of Party and State organs, representatives of mass organisations, senior citizens, business community, diplomatic corps and international organisations among the NA members.
In his opening speech, NA President Thammavong says it has been six months since the consideration of the second session of the sixth legislature that the NA has actively exercised its role and functions as authorised by the nation and people; despite this short period of time, the NA has done its utmost to accomplish the tasks with high level of responsibility, especially in overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and state budget for the fiscal year 2006-2007.
On overall, he says, the Lao PDR is continuing to enjoy peace and political stability, social order has been improved, economy is continuing to enjoy a steady growth, political stability has been strengthened, the multi-ethnic Lao people are united and live in harmony, the country actively promotes friendly relations and cooperation with countries in the region and the world. “Nevertheless, there is a lot of space for us to improve, especially in terms of effectiveness and efficiency in the management of the State; the organisation and mechanism dealing with personnel management have not been appropriately strengthened, revenue generation for the state budget is still lower than expenditure required and, living condition of state employees continues to be difficult. There have been efforts in rural development and poverty reduction, commodity production, social problem solution, education quality raising and political leadership strengthening at grass-root level. However, result attained through these efforts is still lower than expectation. The management of state based on the rule of law has not been effective enough, rules and laws established and promulgated have not been strictly implemented, social justice has not been proactively improved,” he added.
Today, after the opening ceremony, the session hears the government’s report on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for 2006-2007 and the directive plan for 2007-2008, which are presented by representatives of the Government (Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, President of the Committee for Planning and Investment Soulivong Dalavong and Minister of Finance Chansy Phosikham). NA Members also hear reports from the People’s Supreme Court and the Supreme People’s Prosecutor.
Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, NA Vice President, Member of NA Standing Committee presents comments on the reports of the Government, the People’s Supreme Court and the Supreme Public Prosecutor. Dr Thongphanh Chantalanon, Member of the NA Standing Committee, Chairwoman of the Ethnic Affair Committee presents a report on overseeing and monitoring the rural development plan and the poverty reduction programme.
The session will examine and decide the following issues:
1. Report of the Government on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for the fiscal year 2006-2007 and the presentation of the socio-economic development plan for the fiscal year 2007-2008;
2. Report of the People’s Supreme Court on the implementation of works of the court during 2006-2007 with emphasis on the implementation of laws by relevant sectors and directives for future improvement;
3. Report by the Supreme Public Prosecutor on activities taken by the implementation of the Constitution and laws by relevant organs nationwide and directions for future improvement;
4. Report of the NA Standing Committee on the oversight of the socio-economic development plan and state budget of the fiscal year 2006-2007, Action Plan on Rural Development and Poverty Reduction, progress in solving social problems, the monitoring of the works of the public prosecutors in handling cases and the decision of the courts and their respective work plan for 2007-2008;
5. Report of the NA Standing Committee on the implementation of its activities during 2006-2007 and work plan of the NA for 2007-2008;
6. Consideration and adoption of three newly created laws, namely: Law on the People’s Security Forces, Law on State Auditing and Law on State Inspection. The session will also consider and adopt amendment of two currently effective laws, such as Law on Accounting and Law on Education.
The session lasts until 3 July. If anyone would like to share opinions or ask questions, please contact the NA hot-line team via telephone number (865-21) 452627 or 452667, or by fax on (856-21) 911528, Email: na_session@na.gov.la. The team cordially welcomes your opinions.