Vietnam, Lao provinces step up border cooperation

Thanh Hoa (VNA) – The Border Guard Command of Vietnam’s central province of Thanh Hoa and the Military Command of Laos’ northern province of Houaphan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on border cooperation during their senior officials’ talks in Thanh Hoa on December 10. 

The two sides agreed to hold periodic or abrupt joint patrols along the shared borderlines to promptly prevent illegal migration and cultivation as well as drug, weapon, and human trafficking. 

They will also enhance local awareness of implementing the bilateral agreement on border regulations, and support Laos ’ needy children to go to school. 

In 2015, the pair has closely worked together to combat all types of crime. They notably brought to light the drug ring in Houaphan’s Sam Neua, Viengxay districts and Thanh Hoa’s Na Meo border town, arresting four smugglers and seizing nearly 39,000 synthetic pills. 

Vietnamese and Lao officials have also coordinated to ensure border safety and security, contributing to the development of traditional, special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. 

The Military Command of Houaphan has also created favourbale conditions for the Border Guard Command and Military Command of Thanh Hoa to search, gather and repatriate remains of Vietnamese volunteers and experts who laid down their lives in Laos. 

At the talks, the Border Guard Command of Thanh Hoa proposed the Military Command of Houaphan deploy forces in the shared border areas to facilitate bilateral coordination in border protection and management. 

Meanwhile, Lao officials suggested Vietnamese counterpart further support in the field.-VNA