Vietnam and Laos have agreed to continue working closely to build a shared border of stability and comprehensive development in a view to boosting the socio-economic growth and improve living conditions for border residents.

The agreement was reached during the talks between the Steering Committee for the Northwestern Region (SCNR) and a Lao working group on December 16 in the northern province of Yen Bai.

Both sides will focus on putting into operation two village clusters in upper Laos, increasing collaboration in ensuring border security and solving illegal migration across the border, as well as boosting the efficiency of investment partnership.

They will maintain and promote coordination mechanisms and annual talks between the SCNR and the Laos’ Central Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction.

SCNR Deputy Head Truong Xuan Cu said Vietnam will effectively implement investment and development cooperation activities, with its northern provinces giving continued training assistance to Lao localities.

Participants agreed that this year saw positive outcomes in collaboration between Vietnam ’s ministries and northwestern localities and Laos ’ Central Committee for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction, which contributed to ensuring political, security and defence stability in border areas.

Meanwhile, bilateral partnership at provincial level has been improved, they said, noting that Vietnamese and Laos border localities have organised regular meetings and worked closely together in popularising the two countries’ policies and laws.

Both sides have also collaborated in building infrastructure at border gates and markets while creating favourable conditions for economic organisations to increase exchanges and join trade fairs.

Vietnam’s northwestern localities have trained more than 2,000 Laos officials and students.-VNA