Deputy Foreign Minister and head of Vietnam's National Border Committee Le Hoai Trung (centre) at the meeting (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The 27th annual Vietnam-Laos bordermeeting was held on December 9 in Hanoi, aiming to seek orientations for bordercooperation in 2018.
The Vietnamese delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister and headof the National Border Committee Le Hoai Trung, while the Lao side was led byForeign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith.
Both sides reviewed their coordination in border issues as well as theiraffiliation in implementing bilateral border and territory agreement in 2017.They agreed that so far this year, the political stability and security as wellas social order and safety along the shared border have been ensured.
The two sides have supported the growth of border areas in all fields,contributing to reinforcing and strengthening ties between the two countries ingeneral and among border localities in particular, they said.
They also showed their delight at the signing of two legal documents onborder cooperation – a protocol on borderline and national border markers, andan agreement on land border and border gate management regulations, whichbecame effective since September 5, 2017.
Within the meeting’s framework, a number of thematic meetings among Vietnameseand Lao localities were also held to remove obstacles facing them in theimplementation of an agreement between the two governments on dealing with freemigration and undocumented marriage along the shared border.
Vietnam and Laos agreed that in 2018, they will focus on cooperation inborder management in line with the two newly signed border agreements and otherjoint projects relating to border affairs, while completing the designing of amaster plan on developing Vietnam-Laos border gates system by 2025 with a visiontowards 2035.
They will also work together to effectively conduct the agreement on settlingissues related to free migration and undocumented marriage in border areas.
Both sides agreed to organise the 28th meeting in Laos in the fourthquarter of 2018.-VNA
Prosecutors from Vietnamese and Lao border provinces discussed measures to increase the efficiency of the fight against drug crime at a conference in the central province of Quang Nam on July 18.
A joint patrol between the border guard forces of Vietnam and Laos was held at Border Marker 255 on the shared border on July 23 as part of the first Vietnam-Laos border friendship exchange in Vietnam’s northern Son La province.
Representatives from the central province of Quang Nam and Laos’s Sekong province had a working session in Tam Ky city on August 22 to discuss coordination in conducting a survey on undocumented migration and marriage in their border areas.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated that Party, State and Government leaders of Vietnam and Laos have always paid special attention to border and territory-related issues between the countries.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
Deputy Foreign Minister and head of Vietnam's National Border Committee Le Hoai Trung (centre) at the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
