Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh paid a visit to the Lao province of Luang Prabang from June 14-16, during which he held talks with Lao Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith to seek ways to increase cooperation at the two countries’ border areas.  

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Lao Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith

 The two ministers discussed how to upgrade and improve transport infrastructure and the system of border gates along the border, as well as measures to develop border economic zones to facilitate economic and trade cooperation and exchange.

 They agreed to tightly cooperate in managing the borderline and implementing border regulations signed by the two countries.

 They held that among others, special attention should be paid to fighting cross-border crimes, free migration and illegal border crossing.

 Besides, the two sides agreed to enhance education activities to raise their border officials and people’s awareness about border laws, with the aim to build a peaceful, stable, friendship and mutually developed borderline.

 At the meeting, the two foreign ministers praised the two sides’ efforts in implementing the signed project to increase and upgrade the system of border markers along the borderline between Vietnam and Laos.

 They agreed that the two sides will try their best to complete the project by 2014 as scheduled.

VNA