VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly deputies yesterday (Oct 22) stressed the need to remove current shortcomings in the protection of Viet Nam's marine resources and environment as also national sovereignty over the nation's seas.

The workers build of a 27km underground cable connecting Ly Son island district in the central province of Quang Ngai to the national electricity grid.

Towards this, the parliament's drafting committee should review and clarify responsibilities of ministries and other agencies in managing the nation's marine environment and resources, they said.

The committee should ensure that the Draft Law on Sea and Island Resources and Environment should not overlap with other regulations, ensure consistency of the legal system and be in line with international treaties, they said at the ongoing eighth session of the 13th National Assembly.

The deputies agreed that many shortcomings had emerged over the last several years in the management of marine resources and environment as well as the nation's islands.

The current Decree 25/2009/ND-CP, which deals with protecting marine resources and the marine environment, has not been effective, and the Law of the Seas of Viet Nam remained inadequate and unclear, they said.

The deputies said the draft law should help prevent overexploitation of marine resources and reduce pollution of the sea environment, and enhance Viet Nam's competence in protecting national sovereignty of its seas and islands.

Fatherland Front

The deputies also discussed amendments to the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Law yesterday. They said it was necessary to renew the organisation's operations 15 years after the law took effect. The proposed changes should help the organisation carry out its duties better, they said.

The Viet Nam Fatherland Front is charged with protecting the legal rights and benefits of people in "implementing democracy" and strengthening public consensus.

NA organisation

While discussing the Law on National Assembly Organisation, they suggested that it stipulates more clearly the qualifications, character, experience and age of National Assembly deputies.

The discussion also focused on the functions, tasks and power of the NA, the NA Standing Committee, other committees of the NA, agencies under the NA Standing Committee and the working budget of the assembly.

Deputies also addressed the proportion of full-time and female deputies in the NA and a number of issues related to confidence votes.

The NA convened its eighth session on October 20. The session will last 35 working days, the longest session this tenure so far.

Source: VNS