In the context of a complex global geopolitical landscape, the role of the National Assembly goes beyond its traditional legislative function and becomes a significant “extension” of national foreign policy.
This was stated by Mr. Phan Kien Cuong, economic arbitrator of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Vienna and deputy director of the Vietnam Economic and Trade Development Consulting Center (VICENDETI), in an interview with a VNA reporter in Prague.
Mr. Phan Kien Cuong explained that it is necessary to focus on four strategic pillars to promote inter-parliamentary cooperation and strengthen legislative diplomacy to serve Vietnam’s development goals in the coming legislative period.
First of all, there needs to be a change in mentality from pure participation to proactive leadership in multilateral forums. Mr. Phan Kien Cuong suggested that the 16th National Assembly of Vietnam should further strengthen its position in organizations such as the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) by proactively proposing groundbreaking legal frameworks.
This is particularly true in unprecedented but crucial areas of the digital age, such as cross-border cybersecurity governance, artificial intelligence (AI) ethics and green trading standards. Vietnam’s contribution to shaping the international rules of the game will already give the country a national advantage on the global political stage.
Second, it is necessary to promote the “adoption” and “harmonization” of laws to achieve deeper integration. According to Mr Phan Kien Cuong, implementing commitments is the most effective form of legislative diplomacy. In the new legislative period, according to the resolution of the 14th National Assembly, the National Assembly must prioritize the review and adoption of international standards from new generation agreements (such as the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP)) and carry them out in a synchronized manner.
Creating a legal system consistent with high global standards not only protects national interests, but also serves as the strongest endorsement of a transparent and trustworthy investment environment.
Thirdly, it is necessary to strengthen “thematic diplomacy” between the technical committees. Mr. Phan Kien Cuong therefore reiterated the importance of focusing on substantive issues through direct links between the Economic Committee, the Legal Affairs Committee and the Science and Technology Committee of Vietnam and their respective parliamentary bodies in developed countries, especially the European Union (EU).
Technocratic exchanges on legislative experiences in the field of energy transition and circular economy will help Vietnam shorten the institutional development roadmap, thereby directly serving the sustainable development goals set by the Party.
Finally, strengthening the control mechanism for international agreements plays a central role as the fourth strategic pillar. Mr. Phan Kien Cuong argued that the upgrading of legislative diplomacy also depends on the National Assembly effectively exercising its ultimate oversight role over the implementation of international agreements and treaties signed by the government.
This will ensure that international cooperation resources are appropriately deployed, promote local and national economic development, and elicit timely policy responses to guide foreign relations in the most beneficial direction.
According to Mr. Phan Kien Cuong, Vietnam is entering a new era where it aims to become a developed, high-income country. Legislative diplomacy must play a pioneering role in institutional development. A reformed, more efficient and integrated 16th National Assembly is the most important guarantee for leading Vietnam safely into the future.
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