A State-level ceremony was held in Hanoi on March 16 to mark the completion of a project on increasing and upgrading border markers along the Vietnam – Laos boundary.

Vietnamese Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) and his Lao counterpart Thoonglun Sisulith sign documents marking the project's completion.

On behalf of the two countries’ Joint Committee for Border Marker Planting, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son delivered a report on the project implementation.

The two sides carried out the project simultaneously along their shared border from 2008. They increased border markers in necessary areas to further clarify the border in reality. Meanwhile, existing markers, especially those at border gates, were upgraded, creating a system of solid and modern border markers, he said.

Under the project, 1,002 markers and stakes were planted along the countries’ 2,340km of joint border, compared to only 199 markers before 2008.

Not only has the project given a facelift to the border, but also created a firm international legal foundation for the countries’ cooperation in border and territory protection and management, the official noted.

Son, who is also the Chairman of the Vietnam – Laos Joint Committee for Border Marker Planting, added the project will also provide numerous opportunities for cross-border cooperation, particularly in economics, trade, and tourism.

At the ceremony, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong underlined the project’s importance to their nations’ relationship.

They described the project as another symbol of the countries’ time-tested amity, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, built on the basis of respect for each other’s independence and sovereignty, territorial integrity and legitimate interests, and equality and mutual benefits.

The project manifests the consensus, mutual trust and understanding that exists between the Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and peoples, they added.

On this occasion, the two leaders also appreciated efforts by the two sides’ joint committees, ministries, sectors and localities in completing the project. They asked relevant agencies to work closely to promote the project’s outcomes to maintain peace, stability, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development along the Vietnam – Laos boundary.

In the presence of the PMs, Vietnamese Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and his Lao counterpart Thoonglun Sisulith signed a protocol on the border line and markers, and an agreement on regulations on border and land border gate management between the two Governments.

At the ceremony, the country leaders also presented their Governments’ orders, medals and certificates of merit to collectives and individuals who greatly contributed to the project.

Vietnam, Laos agree to foster friendship and cooperation

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Laos counterpart Thongsing Thammavong agreed to continue giving priority to reinforcing and expanding the Vietnam-Laos special relationship, during their meeting in Hanoi on March 16.

Lao PM Thongsing Thammavong is on a working visit to Vietnam to attend a ceremony reviewing the implementation of the project to increase and upgrade border markers along the Vietnam-Laos boundary.

The two officials highlighted crucial outcomes reached in implementing cooperation agreements between the two Governments over the last five years, saying that these contributed to extensively promoting the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the countries.

They agreed to advance the implementation of agreements reached at the 38 th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee last year, and enhance the exchange of delegations and links among the two sides’ localities.

They will work closely in implementing bilateral and border trade agreements towards lifting two-way trade to 3 billion USD in 2020. Connections in transport and education-training will also be fostered further.

The host and guest expressed their joy at the successful completion of the project of increasing and upgrading the border marker system, agreeing to step up communication campaigns and implement agreements that were signed at the review meeting, contributing to building a peaceful and stable borderline between the two nations.

They also reached a consensus on strengthened coordination between the two nations as Laos holds the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2016, to foster connectivity within the ASEAN Community, and promote the bloc’s central role in regional strategic issues, including the East Sea issue.

The same day, President Truong Tan Sang also hosted a reception for the Lao guest, during which they agreed on measures to build a peaceful and friendly borderline between Vietnam and Laos.

He also expressed his hopes Laos will do well in its responsibility as ASEAN Chair in 2016.

For his part, Thongsing Thammavong affirmed that the project to increase and upgrade border markers along the Vietnam-Laos boundary will lay a foundation for ensuring peace, friendship and cooperation along the common border.

The Lao Government will do its utmost to bring further prosperity to the people of both countries, especially those living along border areas, he stressed.

Vietnam-Laos border – example of handling land border-related issues

The completion of a project to increase and upgrade national border markers along the Vietnam-Laos border line reflects the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the countries, and serves as a model for regional countries in addressing land border-related issues.

The statement was made by Ho Xuan Son, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman of the Vietnam – Laos Joint Committee for Border Marker Planting, while talking to the press after a ceremony to mark the completion in Hanoi on March 16.

According to Son, with an average density of 2.6km a marker, the two countries have a clear border line, which is easy to be seen and managed.

This will help maintain peace and stability in border areas, and facilitate border management, trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations, Son said.

In the time ahead, both Vietnam and Laos should disseminate regulations and articles of a protocol on the Vietnam-Laos border line and national border markers, and an agreement on land border and border gate management regulations signed between the two Governments for people living along the border, in order to help them proactively maintain public order at border areas, and safeguard the border line and border marker system.

The Deputy PM shared with the press that during the working process with Laos and China, Vietnam has accumulated a lot of experience in border demarcation and border marker planting, which has also been used when working with Cambodia in this area.

Vietnam and Cambodia have to date completed about 84 percent of their border demarcation and border marker planting, he said.

With their goodwill and friendship and on the basis of international law and signed agreements, the two countries will surely address existing problems to build a border line of peace, stability and cooperation, he added.

VNA