Vietnam and Laos will boost cooperation in the field of natural resources and environmental management in the near future.

The agreement was reached during a working visit of the Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai to Laos from August 22-24.

At a working session with the delegation of the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment led by its Minister Noulinh Sinbandith on August 22, the two sides agreed to work out a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in water resource management between the two countries and discussed bilateral cooperation in geological and mineral surveys in the near future.

They also discussed the signing of memoranda of understanding on land management and environmental protection between the two ministries, including priorities for enhancing land management capacity at the State level for Lao counterparts, as well as building environmental standards, personnel training and appraising efficiency of bilateral cooperation in carrying out mapping survey projects, along with important issues of mutual concern./.