Vietnamese, Lao provinces reinforce multifaceted cooperation

Quang Binh (VNA) – Leaders of Vietnam’s central Quang Binh province and the Lao province of Khammouane held talks and signed an agreement on April 6, agreeing to continue strengthening multi-faceted cooperation in 2018.

The Lao delegation was led by Oday Sudaphon, Secretary of the provincial Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and Governor of Khammouane.

At the talks in Quang Binh, the officials informed each other about the socio-economic development, defence-security situation, and the Party and administration building in their respective provinces. They also reviewed the implementation of the minutes of the talks signed in Thakhek, Khammouane, on March 29, 2017.

Hoang Dang Quang, Secretary of the Quang Binh provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council, said the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two provinces have been developing sustainably.

Discussing the partnership in 2018, the two sides agreed to create more favourable conditions for their Party agencies, administrations and organisations to share experiences while assisting border districts to support each other to boost common development.

The two provinces will step up trade, investment and tourism promotion and issue preferential policies to encourage these activities between their businesses. They will work together to conserve and bring into play biodiversity values of Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh and Hin Nam No biodiversity conservation area in Khammouane.

Quang Binh is set to receive students from Khammouane province and provide Vietnamese language and specialised training to some officials of the Lao province.

They agreed to facilitate a project on building a bonded warehouse and oil pipeline from Hon La Port in Quang Binh to Khammouane, and construction of a section crossing the two provinces under the Vung Ang – Vientiane railway project.

At the talks, both sides agreed to maintain mutual visits between their border working groups and military, police and border guard delegations to exchange experience and bolster cooperation.

They will increase disseminating information about the Vietnam-Laos agreement on land border and border gate management regulations, coordinate to solve border-related issues well, and implement the two Governments’ agreement on settling free migration and undocumented marriages in border areas. 

The provinces will also work together in issues relating to the upgrade and repair of border markers and roads traversing their border gates, along with the search and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts who laid down their lives in Laos.

Quang Binh and Khammouane will also encourage cooperation in other fields that match their demand and capacity, the officials said.

At the talks, the two sides signed a diplomatic cooperation agreement with a view to enhancing bilateral ties.

On this occasion, the provincial People’s Committee of Quang Binh presented certificates of merit to three organisations and six persons of Khammouane to honour their contribution to the solidarity between the two provinces.-VNA