A visiting delegation from the Lao province of Houaphan met with leaders of Bac Ninh province on July 17 in Bac Ninh to work out detailed contents for their previously signed memorandum of understanding.

The visit is amongst activities to celebrate the Vietnam -Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2012, 35 years of the signing of the Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (July 18, 1962-2012) and 50 years of the establishment of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties (Sept. 5, 1962-2012).

Receiving the delegation, Bac Ninh provincial party secretary Tran Van Tuy praised the solidarity, faithful friendship and comprehensive cooperation between both provinces.

The Lao side thanked Bac Ninh for the effective support that the province has given to Houaphan during the past years.

At another meeting, the delegation and Bac Ninh’s People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen Nhan Chien discussed the detailed plan to build a Bac Ninh-funded school in Houaphan’s Viengxay district.

Chien affirmed that Bac Ninh will offer full scholarships to 15 students from Houaphan to study in collages in Bac Ninh.

Along with education and health care, the two provinces will consider expanding cooperation in agriculture, industry, tourism and mineral exploitation.

The same day, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the central province of Thanh Hoa in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of Houaphan held a conference in Thanh Hoa to summarise three years of implementation of their joint programme on protecting forests in boundary areas in 2009-2012, and sign an agreement for the period 2013-2015.

The event is to mark 45 years since Thanh Hoa signed the development cooperation agreement and set up twin relations with Houaphan (1967-2012).

Accordingly, in 2013-2015, all districts, villages and related agencies of both provinces will continue to work closely together to ensure security and stability along the shared border.

The two sides will strive to prevent forest resources destruction, such as deforestation, wild animal hunting and illegal trading on forestry products.

Both provinces will also improve the fire preventing and fighting works, effectively controlling risks of forest fire in joint border area.-VNA