Ensuring the principle of centralized and unified management of foreign affairs

Discussion scene at Group 2. Photo: Quang Khanh

National Assembly Deputy Nguyen Tam Hung basically agreed with the direction of amending and supplementing regulations on the authority of the Prime Minister, but also proposed clarifying the role of reviewing the Prime Minister's decisions to clarify the Prime Minister's responsibility in the process when submitting to the President .

Delegates said that it is necessary to affirm the role of the Prime Minister to ensure the principle of centralized and unified management of foreign affairs through a focal point, the Prime Minister, when submitting to higher levels in international treaty work.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Tam Hung (Ho Chi Minh City) speaks. Photo: Quang Khanh

Regarding authorization and delegation in international treaty work, the draft Law amends and supplements Clause 3, Article 22 of the current Law in the direction that "The head of the delegation attending an international conference must be authorized in writing by the Prime Minister, except in cases where the international conference does not involve the negotiation, approval of the text of an international treaty or amendments and supplements to an international treaty to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member, the head of the proposing agency shall decide to authorize participation. In cases where members of the Vietnamese delegation must be authorized to attend an international conference according to the conference's regulations, the proposing agency shall submit to the Prime Minister for decision or the head of the proposing agency shall decide according to the provisions of this clause".

National Assembly Delegate Do Van Yen (Ho Chi Minh City) speaks. Photo: Quang Khanh

Commenting on this content, delegate Nguyen Tam Hung suggested that the authorization document should clearly define the scope and limits of the authority of the head of the negotiating delegation in signing commitments or declarations with international binding value according to the authority prescribed in this clause.

The delegate also said that the authorization document must clearly state the identity, position, content and scope of the authorized work to strengthen the legal basis and improve the effectiveness of foreign affairs activities, in accordance with the principles of the Vienna Convention on the Law of International Treaties; at the same time, control legal risks for the Vietnamese state in foreign affairs activities.

National Assembly Delegate Nguyen Minh Duc (Ho Chi Minh City) speaks. Photo: Quang Khanh

In addition, delegate Nguyen Tam Hung also proposed to amend Clause 2, Article 39 of the current Law in the direction that "the agencies and organizations that are consulted as prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article are responsible for responding in writing within 10 working days from the date of receiving the consultation document", instead of the "10-day" time limit as in the draft Law for more clarity, and at the same time, add a reasonable extension mechanism of up to 10 working days to ensure the quality of appraisal for complex international treaties.

Approving the promotion of decentralization and delegation of power in international treaty work, National Assembly Deputy Tran Hoang Ngan was concerned that the draft Law would shorten the time for appraisal and approval of international treaties by taking opinions from agencies and organizations related to appraisal and approval of international treaties. These are important contents related to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The delegate also suggested that it is necessary to add regulations on binding responsibilities of relevant agencies that are consulted to appraise international treaties.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/bao-dam-nguyen-tac-tap-trung-thong-nhat-quan-ly-ve-doi-ngoai-10393809.html