(VOVworld) - Veterans, members, and researchers of the Vietnam National Assembly Committee for External Relations on Tuesday gathered at a meeting in Hanoi to contribute their opinions to the draft amendments of the 1992 Constitution.

Participants offered suggestions on a series of issues including the institutionalization of the country’s external relations policy, the theory and reality of the revision and supplementation to jurisdiction to ratify treaties, and the matching of regulations on human rights in the draft amendment and international treaties to which Vietnam is a signatory. They also talked about the NA roles and cooperation between the NA, State President, and the government in implementing the country’s policies on external relations.

Attendees contributed a lot of opinions for the fifth article in the draft amendment affirming ethnic affairs and national solidarity as a long term and strategic position. Lu Van Que, former vice chairman of the NA Ethnic Council, said that the constitution should identify Vietnam as a country with nationalities and the government should ensure a policy on comprehensive and sustainable development among ethnic groups. Que highlighted the need to ‘give prominence to the government’s responsibility in facilitating conditions for ethnic people to jointly develop. Ethnic groups should uphold their internal strength for growth and avoid relying on the government assistance. Narrowing the gap between the rich and poor should be done gradually based on the Party and government’s policies on ethnic affairs. If we don’t follow the above mentioned principles, we may cause unpredicted consequences.’