Chairing the discussion session, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Quang Phuong said that the draft Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Treaties was discussed by National Assembly deputies in groups on October 31. Many opinions agreed with the necessity of amending and supplementing the law, in order to overcome shortcomings and limitations in the implementation of international treaties.
Regarding the draft Resolution of the National Assembly on a number of specific and outstanding mechanisms and policies to improve the effectiveness of international integration at the group discussion session on November 19, the opinions expressed basically agreed on the necessity of issuing a resolution to promptly institutionalize the Party's guiding viewpoints in Resolution 59-NQ/TW of the Politburo on international integration in the new situation. Some issues that delegates were interested in giving opinions on were: Conformity with the Party's policies and guidelines; constitutionality and consistency of the draft Resolution; compatibility with relevant international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member; scope of regulation and subjects of application of the draft resolution; principles of applying specific mechanisms and policies to handle difficulties and obstacles in implementing cooperation projects with foreign partners of key and strategic nature...
During the discussion session in the hall, the majority of National Assembly deputies expressed their high approval for the necessity of amending and supplementing the Law on International Treaties to meet the requirements of deep international integration, enhance legal effectiveness and add flexibility in negotiating, signing, ratifying, approving and joining international treaties. The opinions noted that the draft Law has clarified the authority, shortened the procedures but still ensured strictness, publicity and transparency.
The main discussion content of the National Assembly deputies focused on streamlining procedures, shortening processing times and expanding flexible mechanisms in foreign affairs activities. Specifically, cutting and simplifying administrative procedures, implementing digital transformation and applying science and technology in implementing international treaties were among the issues of concern.
Regarding the dossier for requesting the appraisal of international treaties, delegate Nguyen Tam Hung (Ho Chi Minh City) suggested that the Drafting Committee study and consider switching to 100% electronic form for central agencies to suit the reform of administrative procedures, and at the same time recommend adding standard formats and archives to avoid wasting processing time due to different dossiers sent by each agency. The delegate also paid attention to the regulations on dossiers for checking and appraising international treaties, suggesting that there should be a mechanism to confirm complete dossiers immediately upon receipt, avoiding different understandings of "valid dossiers" leading to prolonged processing time.
Assessing the shortening of the appraisal period to 10 days or 5 days under the simplified procedure is considered a big step forward, however, delegate Thach Phuoc Binh (Vinh Long) expressed his opinion that for multi-sectoral treaties with far-reaching impacts such as trade, investment, finance and defense agreements, the 10-day period may not be enough to meet appraisal requirements. Therefore, the delegate suggested considering a conditional extension mechanism along with clearly defining legal consequences when agencies do not respond on time. Delegate Thach Phuoc Binh also recommended studying regulations on a simplified dossier for small, purely technical treaties that do not generate new legal and financial obligations.
An important breakthrough mechanism is the additional regulation on the simultaneous proposal and ratification and approval of international treaties, creating high flexibility. However, some National Assembly deputies proposed to clarify the applicable cases and at the same time stipulate the control threshold for treaties that are likely to give rise to financial obligations or are related to sovereignty and national security.
In addition, regarding the provisions on authorization in special cases, some National Assembly deputies said that it is necessary to clarify that the authorization period should not be extended, and at the same time, add the obligation to report after the authorization is implemented to the Government, the President and the National Assembly's Committee on National Defense, Security and Foreign Affairs to perform the supreme supervisory function.
Delegate Tran Quoc Tuan (Vinh Long) proposed that the deadline for applying the special mechanism should be adjusted to mid-2028 instead of the end of 2030, so that the 16th National Assembly can conduct a mid-term review, evaluate and legislate mature issues.
In his explanatory speech, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung affirmed that the main idea of this revised Law project is to simplify the procedures for signing and implementation; the conditions and contents basically remain unchanged.
The minister also said current regulations already require comprehensive impact assessments, including financial, defense, security, foreign affairs, gender equality and environmental issues.
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/ky-hop-thu-10-quoc-hoi-khoa-xv-chuyen-doi-so-trong-thuc-hien-dieu-uoc-quoc-te-20251126190723842.htm
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