Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long and his Lao counterpart Xaysi Santivong agreed to work closely together to launch a bilateral cooperation programme for 2019, during their talks in Hanoi on December 10. 

Both sides vowed to facilitate the exchange of delegations to learn from judicial experience and continue with a project to support the Lao Academy of Justice. 

They promised to jointly study a roadmap on amending the judicial assistance agreement in civil and criminal affairs between the two nations; effectively realise conclusions reached at the fourth extended judicial conference of the border provinces of Vietnam and Laos; implement the two governments’ agreement on the settlement of free migration and illegitimate marriages in border areas; as well as enhance law training in the two justice ministries’ training establishments. 

The two ministers expressed the belief that the talks’ outcomes will open up new opportunities to lift bilateral judicial ties to a greater height, contributing to fostering the special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries’ parties, states, and people. 

Following the talks, they signed the 2019 cooperation programme between the two ministries. 

Santivong presented orders and medals of the Lao State to Vietnamese individuals and collectives in recognition of their contributions to bilateral judicial cooperation. 

The Lao minister is currently visiting Vietnam from December 8-12. –VNA