Vietnam and Laos formalised measures to improve border management this year though the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Vientiane.

The MoU was signed after the 24 th annual meeting from February 10-12 between a delegation of the Foreign Ministry’s National Boundary Commission, led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son, and its Lao counterpart led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs-cum-Head of the Laos-Vietnam Border Committee Saleumxay Kommasith.

Both sides evaluated their coordination in border area management, especially the implementation of the Vietnam-Laos Agreement on National Border Regulations and a government-level agreement on solving unplanned migration issues and unregistered marriages.

The agenda also included discussing socio-economic development in border areas and other specific issues as agreed upon at the 23rd meeting.

They agreed that the stable social order in border areas over the past years has facilitated strong socio-economic development and ensured the security of both countries.

The same day, the Vietnamese delegation was hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

Sisoulith said he looks forward to celebrating the success of a project to increase and upgrade border markers as a part of festivities between the two nations this year.

VNA