CLOSING SPEECH

H.E.Mr. Thongsing THAMMAVONG

4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly, VIth Legislature

26 December 2007

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-     Your Excellency Mr. Choummaly Xayasone, Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao PDR,

-     Respected Members of the Party Central Committee Politburo,

-     Honorable Members of the National Assembly,

-     Distinguished Guests,

 

The 4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly VIth Legislature, which has consisted of 16 days of critical debate, today draws to a successful conclusion.

 

The results of this Session are elite of the National Assembly Members’ intelligence as representatives of rights and benefits of the pluri-ethnic people with their ultimate responsibility in translating Party policies into legislation consistent with the Resolution of the VIIIth Party Congress in the socio-economic field, aiming to gradually build a Rule of Law State - a State of the people, by the people and in the interests of the people – embodying wealth creation, national consolidation, social justice, democracy and civilization.

 

Distinguished Delegates,

 

During the 4th Ordinary Session of the NA, a number of laws were considered and adopted, including:

·         An amended Law on Forests;

·         Seven new laws, namely:

-           The Law on Aquatics and Wildlife;

-           The Law on Intellectual Property;

-           The Law on Fire Prevention;

-           The Law on Standardization;

-           The Law on Drug Narcotics;

-           The Law on Sports;

-           The Law on Trade Unions.

Moreover, the Session has examined and approved the appointment of the President of the Central Auditing Authority in conformity with the Law on State Audit.

 

Specifically, the Session has deliberated and endorsed the plan of amended public expenditures for fiscal year 2007-2008 in order to ensure the socio-economic development in a sustainable way.

 

Throughout the proceedings of the Session, National Assembly Members have exercised their high political responsibility according to their role, enhancing democracy through discussion and scrutiny on a wide range of matters. Debate has been rational, frank, and reasonable; thereby imparting to the substance and interpretation of proposed laws accuracy, appropriateness and preciseness in compliance with the Party policies set aiming to facilitate the national socio-economic development as well as the regional and global integration in the fields of economy and trade.

 

All issues examined and approved have been decided through the discussion, deliberation by National Assembly Members and relevant parties in a democratic manner including the public involvement through various means towards the unanimity of concepts, perspectives and issues of principles; in this way, this Session has achieved its set objectives and outcomes.

 

On behalf of National Assembly Members, I would like to express greatest gratitude and heartfelt salutations to His Excellency Mr. Choummaly Xayasone, Secretary General of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao PDR, and Members of the Party Central Committee Politburo, for actively following the Session, and honoring the opening and closing ceremony with their presence.

 

May I express felicitations to Ministers, Vice-Ministers, the President of the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme Public Prosecutor, representatives of the Party and State institutions, mass organizations, senior revolutionary cadres, members of diplomatic corps and representatives from international organizations, and towards teachers and students for their continual participation to this Session.

 

May I also express appreciation to the law review sub-committees, professionals, officials, staff of the National Assembly, as well as concerned sectors including the armed forces and security services, mass media, etc. for their focused and intelligent efforts in performing their mandate with high responsibility, which has ensured the Session as a positive and successful event.

 

I express congratulations to compatriots nationwide for their attentiveness in following the proceeding of the session through the mass media. A number of them have been sufficiently interested in matters dealt with during the session to share their views and feedback - including compliments and criticism - in a helpful and constructive way through the telephone hotline and other means.

 

            Distinguished Delegates,

 

In order to realize the results of this Session with concrete outcomes, I call upon the Party and State institutions, mass organizations, local authorities at all levels, and all sectors throughout civil society, to continuously cooperate with Members of the National Assembly in constituencies nationwide in further enhancing the role of people’s representatives to fulfill their mandate, as entrusted by the Nation and people; in particular to jointly encourage civil servants, armed and security forces and citizens within the scope of their responsibility to be involved and aware of laws in a comprehensive manner; thus to interpret these passed laws enabling the effective and strict enforcement.

 

I call upon the leadership of line ministries and ministry-equivalent organizations to increasingly make their efforts to the guidance of drafting and amending laws with their real accountability; thus resulting the substance of laws with accuracy, appropriateness and preciseness before submission to each parliamentary sitting.

 

I call upon compatriots of all walks of life, ethnic groups, ages, men and women, both internally and externally, to strengthen their spirit of patriotism and people’s democracy by consolidating the solidarity required carrying out the task of national defense and national construction in a modern and progressive manner.

 

I call upon friendly countries and international organizations to further provide support and assistance to the Lao PDR for our national development.

 

In conclusion, as the year of 2007 draws to a close and the forthcoming new year of 2008 beckons, may I express best salutations and good health to Leaders of the Party and State, civil servants, armed and security forces, and the multi-ethnic people nationwide.

 

I wish Members of the National Assembly and distinguished guests good health, happiness and ever-greater success in your work.

 

At this solemn and significant occasion, as Chair of the Session, I hereby, declare the 4th Ordinary Session of the NA, VIth Legislature officially closed.

 

 

Thank you.