Decision No. 258/TTg On the organization and operation of the Vietnam Sub-committee within the Inter-Governmental Committee for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation and Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the organization and operation of the Vietnam Sub-committee within the Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation, and Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries 

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

To promote the development and strengthening of cooperative relations, and to implement Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding with other countries;

To ensure that inter-governmental committees between our country and other countries operate effectively;

At the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Chairman of the Government Office;

DECISION:

Article 1. The Vietnam Sub-committee within the inter-governmental committees (hereinafter referred to as the Vietnam Sub-committee) assists the Government and the Prime Minister in coordinating economic, trade, scientific and technological, and cultural cooperation relations with other countries and operates under the direct guidance of the Prime Minister.

Article 2. The Vietnam Sub-committee has the following tasks:

1. Proposing and coordinating with ministries, sectors, and localities to study the potential for expanding economic, trade, scientific and technological, and cultural cooperation with countries with which we have cooperative relations.

2. Within the scope of activities of the inter-governmental committee, upon the authorization of the Prime Minister, the Vietnam Sub-committee is responsible for urging agencies to prepare content, negotiate, and sign agreements with countries with which we have cooperative relations at the state management level, in accordance with the functions assigned to each agency.

3. Monitoring, urging, and organizing coordination among ministries, sectors, and localities to implement agreements and obligations regarding economic, trade, scientific and technological, and cultural cooperation; simultaneously exchanging opinions with the foreign side to find measures to create favorable conditions for both sides to fulfill their commitments well. Regularly organizing meetings of the Vietnam Sub-committee to evaluate the results of implementation and discuss measures to implement agreements with foreign countries.

4. Organizing meetings of the inter-governmental committee to review the implementation of agreements from the previous session, propose directions and measures to strengthen cooperation during the period between two sessions. Before convening a session of the committee, the Chairman of the Sub-committee reports and seeks opinions.

Article 3. The permanent membership of the Vietnam Sub-committee includes:

- The Chairman of the Sub-committee is at the level of Minister or Deputy Minister of economic and comprehensive foreign affairs ministries. In cases where it is necessary to send a higher or lower level representative when negotiating with countries with which we have cooperative relations, this will be decided in accordance with the agreement.

- The Vice-Chairman of the Sub-committee is at the level of Deputy Minister or equivalent (in cases agreed by both sides, a Vice-Chairman may not be appointed).

- The Permanent Secretary of the Sub-committee is a department-level officer or specialist from the Government Office.

- When necessary, additional members can be appointed to the permanent membership of the Sub-committee and/or working groups can be established according to the needs of the committee and in accordance with the agreement of both sides.

Based on the above principles, the Government Office recommends that the Prime Minister approve the structure and specific composition of the Vietnam Sub-committee.

Article 4. The Vietnam Sub-committee operates based on the following principles:

1. The Sub-committee only discusses and agrees with the foreign side on principles at the government level regarding economic, trade, scientific and technological, and cultural cooperation to create legal frameworks and favorable cooperation environments for partners. Specific issues of production and business cooperation are directly signed by production and business organizations of the two countries.

2. Ministries, sectors, and localities that have proposals for cooperation with foreign countries within the scope mentioned in Article 4.1 must submit them to the Chairman of the Sub-committee (through the Permanent Secretary of the Sub-committee) for processing or reporting.

3. Documents signed with the foreign side within the framework of the inter-governmental committee are implemented in accordance with the Law on Signing and Implementing International Treaties. After signing and being approved by the competent authority, the Sub-committee will organize the implementation and notify relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to carry out.

4. Ministries, sectors, and localities must report to the Sub-committee through the Government Office at least once every six months on the implementation of agreements with foreign countries within the framework of inter-governmental cooperation.

5. The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Permanent Secretary of the Sub-committee have the right to directly communicate with representatives of the foreign side to exchange and resolve issues related to cooperation.

6. The Chairman of the Sub-committee is responsible for monitoring the implementation of agreements and obligations signed with foreign countries. When necessary, the Chairman of the Sub-committee has the right to convene representatives of ministries, sectors, and localities to meet and discuss solutions to emerging issues. The Vice-Chairman (if any) and the Permanent Secretary assist the Chairman of the Sub-committee in carrying out the aforementioned tasks.

7. The Chairman of the Sub-committee presides over participation in inter-governmental committee sessions. Sessions of the inter-governmental committee are held both domestically and abroad in accordance with the regulations of the inter-governmental committee. In addition to regular meetings, when there are urgent matters, the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen, or Permanent Secretaries of the Sub-committees of both sides may meet to discuss solutions.

8. The Permanent Secretary of the Sub-committee is responsible for assisting the Chairman of the Sub-committee in continuously grasping situations and data, exchanging with relevant agencies, seeking instructions from superiors to promptly handle daily tasks of the Sub-committee. The Permanent Secretary has the right to invite specialists from ministries, sectors, and localities to prepare for inter-governmental committee meetings.

The Permanent Secretary of the Sub-committee is responsible for managing documents and data of the Sub-committee both domestically and when traveling abroad and is entitled to use diplomatic passports.

Article 5. This decision replaces Decision No. 291-CT of the Council of Ministers dated October 21, 1989.

Chairmen of the Vietnam Sub-committees, Ministers, Heads of other government agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities are responsible for implementing this decision.