The National Assembly is defined as 'the body of representatives of the rights of the multi-ethnic people of Laos', 'the body of the state apparatus with power to make decisions on the fundamental issues of the country' and 'the legislative body overseeing the activities of the executive and judicial bodies'. Its functions are: to establish, approve or amend the Constitution; to consider, approve, amend, or abrogate laws; to determine, change, or abolish taxes and duties; to consider and approve strategic plans of socio-economic development and the budgets of the state; to elect or remove the President of the Republic and the Vice President of the Republic on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; to consider and approve the appointment or removal of members of the Government on the recommendation of the President of the Republic; to elect or remove the President of the People's Supreme Court and the Public Prosecutor General on the recommendation of the National Assembly Standing Committee; to approve the establishment or dissolution of the ministries, ministry equivalent organisations, provinces and municipalities and to determine the boundaries of provinces and municipalities on the recommendation of the Prime Minister; to decide on granting general amnesties; to decide on ratification or abolition of treaties and agreements signed with foreign countries in accordance with international law and regulations; to decide on matters of war or peace; to supervise the observance of the Constitution and the law; and to exercise other rights and execute other duties as prescribed by law. The Standing Committee of the National Assembly is the permanent body of the National Assembly, which acts on behalf of the National Assembly between sessions of the National Assembly. Its rights and duties are: to interpret and convene the National Assembly session; to interpret and explain provisions of the Constitution and laws; to educate the people in order to enhance their conscious observance of the Constitution and laws; to propose to the President of the State to issue laws and decrees; to supervise and watch over the activities of the executive and judiciary bodies; to decide on nationality matters; to appoint or remove the Vice President of the People's Supreme Court, the Deputy People's General Prosecutor and the Judges of the People's Court at all levels; to direct and guide the activities of the National Assembly Committees; to ensure that the National Assembly carries out its work as specified; to create good working conditions for the National Assembly members to carry out their activities in accordance with their duties; and to exercise other rights and execute other duties as stipulated in the Standing Orders (General Orders) of the National Assembly. The National Assembly comprises six Committees: the Legal Committee, the Economy and Finance Committee, the Culture and Society Committee, the Ethnic Minorities Committee, the Security and National Defence Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.