After three weeks of important discussions, the 14th National Assembly completed its working agenda of the fifth session, NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said during the closing ceremony in Hà Nội yesterday.— VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — After three weeks of important discussions, the 14th National Assembly completed its working agenda of the fifth session, NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said during the closing ceremony in Hà Nội yesterday.

She said the legislature discussed and evaluated the implementation of the socio-economic development plan and the State budget in 2017 and the first months of 2018. 
The decisions made will speed up putting plans in place this year, and also help the five-year socio-economic development plan in 2016-20.

Lawmakers approved a resolution ratifying the 2016 State budget balance, but asked the Government to reinforce financial discipline and to punish individuals who violated the management and use of State budget.

They also called on the Government to improve the management of investment capital, public debts, and State budget overspending, as well as to ensure national financial security. 
After thorough discussions, the NA voted to pass seven draft laws to continue the institutionalisation of the 2013 Constitution, improve the legal system on economic development, human rights, and the basic rights and obligations of citizens, and ensure defence and security. 
As regards the draft Law on Special Administrative and Economic Units, the top legislator said on the basis of collecting opinions from lawmakers, voters and people from all walks of life and taking into account various aspects, the legislature decided to postpone the adoption of the bill until the next session later this year to have more time for study and completion and to ensure its quality and feasibility. 
The NA discussed and approved resolutions on the programme of building laws and ordinances in 2019, the NA’s supervision programme for 2019, the establishment of the NA’s supreme inspection delegation on the implementation of policies, laws on planning, managing and using land in urban areas from the effect of the Land Law 2013 to the end of 2018 and the implementation of policies and laws on fire prevention for 2014-2018. 
The legislature requested NA agencies, delegations and deputies to proactively build and implement their own supervision activities based on those resolutions, Ngân said. 
The NA conducted question-and-answer sessions for the ministers of Transport, Natural Resources and Environment, Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs, and Education and Training. Deputy prime ministers Vũ Đức Đam and Vương Đình Huệ took part to help deal with the concerns of the public.
She said government officials provided straightforward answers and brought practical solutions to addressing shortcomings. 

The outcomes of the fifth meeting showed the NA activities have become closer to people. The legislature listened to constructive opinions from voters and people to improve the quality of adopted bills and resolutions, she said. 
The NA praised the patriotism and deep interests of people across the country in the important matters and condemned actions making use of democracy to distort the truth and cause social security disorder, affecting the life of people, production and business activities, and operations of agencies and organisations. 
The top legislator asked the Government to increase mass mobilisation work so that the public will not be incited to violate the law. The Government is also asked to handle any infringements. 
The NA calls on people and voters nationwide to strengthen solidarity and live and work according to the law while joining hands in building a happy and prosperous country and NA deputies to conduct more meetings with voters and listen to their voices.

The legislature also asked the NA Standing Committee, NA Council of Ethnic Affairs, NA Committees, Government, Vietnam Fatherland Front, local authorities at all levels, Supreme People’s Court, People’s Supreme Procuracy, State Audit, and relevant agencies and organisations to ensure the execution of laws and resolutions adopted at the fifth sitting. — VNS