Deputies at the on-going 9^th session of the 11^th National Assembly on June 9 discussed the draft Law on Associations and the draft Law on Dykes.

According to a report on the draft Association Law, by the end of 2005, there were 320 associations operating nationwide and 2,150 associations operating in provinces and cities at the central level.

However, the State management of association activities remains poor, thus failing to meet the requirements for their development. Therefore, it is essential to promulgate the draft Law on Associations to create a legal corridor for association activities and making them more efficient.

The draft Law on Associations, consisting of 8 chapters and 49 articles, stipulates the organisation, activities, management and legal entity of an association.

The draft also stipulates that associations work on a voluntary, self-controlled and financially self-sufficient basis and association activities must be open, democratic and transparent.

Most deputies agreed upon the necessity to promulgate the draft Law on Associations and contributed opinions on the name of the law, the scope of adjustments, applicable subjects and State management of association activities.
NA deputies will continue discussing the draft Law on Dyke in the afternoon.