NA session ends with approval of seven new laws

The President of the National Assembly, Mr Thongsing Thammavong, on 26 December 2007 addressed the closing ceremony of the 4^th ordinary session of the National Assembly, praising a number of the Assembly’s achievements.

During the 16 working -day session, presided over by Mr Thongsing from December 5-26 , members focused their debate on seven new laws and amendments to an existing forestry law. All laws and amendments were eventually approved.

The new laws deal with the preservation of aquatic and wildlife, intellectual property rights, fire prevention, standardization, drug enforcement, spots and trade unions, as well as the amended forestry law.

The NA session also endorsed the appointment of the President of the State Auditing Authority in accordance with the state inspection law, and the adjustment of the State Budget Expenditure Plan for the 2007-2008 fiscal year, to foster the nation’s progressive economic growth.

The closing ceremony was attended by the Vice President, Mr Bonnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister, Bouasone Bouphavanh, representatives from the Party and Stated institutions, diplomatic corps and other international organizations.

Mr Thongsing said that the fruitful outcome of the session was made possible by the hard work of its members who represented all Lao citizens’ rights and interests. This sense of responsibility helped to translate the guidelines and policies indicated in the eighth Party Congress’s resolutions that spanned all socio-economic areas into concrete law.

“We have realized our goal to further establish our nation into a state under the rule of law, for the prosperity of all people, in a fair and just society,” Mr Thongsing said.

He added that all the issues, which were approved, had been considered democratically by all members and the sectors concerned. He also praised the contribution from the general public though media. Therefore, the session was successful as expected, he said.

To translate the successful outcome of the session into tangible results, Mr Thongsing urged all sectors and organizations at all levels, to continue coordinating with Assembly members to further their roles in allowing people in all social strata to learn about the new laws, so that they can be efficiently implemented.

He further urged the leading officials of the various ministries and organizations to increase the attention in giving direction in drafting new laws and amendments of existing laws falling within their responsibility. This would result in laws that conform to actual practice, and clarify specific content before presentation to the assembly for consideration.

Mr Thongsing praised all participants, including representatives from the party and State institutions, as well as international organizations for their attendance at the event.

He thanked participants for their contributions to the achievement of the session including drafting sub-committees, technicians and officials from concerned sectors. (Vientiane Times)