Vietnam and Laos have agreed to continue personnel training in ethnic affairs and experience sharing for 2016.

During their talks in Vientiane on September 28, Deputy Minister and deputy head of the Committee for Ethnic Minorities Affairs Phan Van Hung and Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee Vongchan Phomsavat reviewed the outcomes of bilateral cooperation for 2011-2015, saying that Vietnam opened a number of personnel training courses for the LFNC.

During the period, the two sides signed a cooperation agreement for 2012-2020, under which they committed to raising public awareness of ethnic-related laws and policies, building and implementing ethnic policies, continuing scientific research, cultural exchanges, education-training and personnel training.

They also aligned socio-economic development schemes with ethnic affairs, especially poverty reduction in ethnic groups in border areas.

Next year, the two sides will promote policymaking for socio-economic development along the 2.000km borderline.

As crimes involving human trafficking, drug and free migration along border areas have spawned in recent years, they consented to carrying on with educational campaigns in ethnic groups.

The Vietnamese side pledged to direct localities bordering Laos devise suitable socio-economic development plans.-VNA
VNA