HÀ NỘI — The 14th National Assembly (NA) which will last for 20 working days opened its fifth session Monday morning in Hà Nội.

Addressing the opening ceremony, NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said the fifth session of the 14th NA takes place in the midst of the country’s positive developments. The national growth rate in the first quarter of 2018 was the highest in the last ten years.

However, there are also unexpected regional and international developments, she said.

Ngân said the country should focus on developing its potential, maintaining macroeconomic stability, boosting production and manufacturing, and preparing to minimise the negative impacts of global changes to ensure the national economy’s sustainable development.

The country should also continue to strengthen national security and defence, enhance diplomatic activities and safeguard national sovereignty, while upholding anti-corruption, thrift practice, and waste-combating efforts, she said.

Ngân highlighted the significance of the 14th NA’s fifth session, with a large number of draft laws and resolutions expected to be discussed and adopted.

“Legislation continues to be a key task of the meeting, accounting for two-thirds of the assembly’s scheduled time,” she said.

Ngân said a number of important tasks have been assigned to the 14th NA in its third year, requiring NA deputies to bring into play the spirit of innovation, creativity and action, in the interest of the people and the country.

NA deputies will debate on and adopt eight draft laws, draft resolutions and eight other bills. These draft laws and bills, which aim to institutionalise Party resolutions and the 2013 Constitution, are of significance and concern to constituents, Ngân said.

The gathering will also examine a report assessing the implementation of socio-economic development and State budget plans for 2017 and the first months of 2018, as well as the ratification of the 2016 State budget balance.

The report assessing the results of thrift practice and waste-combating efforts will also be discussed, she said.

NA deputies will listen to feedback and proposals from voters, a report on the settlement of voters’ feedback and proposals, and have question-and-answer sessions.

The NA will exercise supreme supervision over the implementation of policies and laws on the use and management of State capital and assets in enterprises and the equitisation of State-owned enterprises during the 2011-16 period, and will adopt a resolution on the 2019 supervision programme and on the establishment of the NA’s 2019 thematic supervision working groups.

Reports submitted by the Government, NA committees, the Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court, the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy, and the State Audit will also be studied during the socio-economic discussion session. — VNS