Laos and Thailand have agreed to intensify cooperation toprotect border security, including joint supervision and patrols as wellas measures to fight international crime.
The twocountries reached the agreement at the 20th General Border Committeemeeting held in the capital of Laos, Vientiane, on July 18. Themeeting was co-chaired by Lao Deputy Prime Minister cum Defence MinisterSenior Lieutenant General Douangchay Phichith and Thailand's DeputyDefence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha.
Theysaw eye-to-eye on increasing coordination and exchange of informationbetween the two countries’ sub-committees as well as military commandsat the provincial level to protect the border shared by Laos andThailand.
It was also agreed that cooperation toaddress international crimes such as smuggling of drugs and wild animalsas well as illegal immigration will be accelerated.
The two sides reviewed and renewed signed provisions that will expire in October 2013.-VNA