During the 26th meeting of the Laos-Vietnam Border Delegation taking place in Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday and Friday, the two countries agreed upon important documents relating to border affairs and discussed plans to approve additional documents, according to a statement issued by the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
They consented to strengthen their cooperation in economics and national defense, thus ensuring security and order in their shared border areas. Meeting participants also expressed a willingness to upgrade and build roads to improve transportation, trade, tourism, and investment. Regarding future plans, the two countries will circulate information to local communities about border security and the installation of border markers along their shared border. They will strengthen their support for local authorities to boost cooperation, socio-economic development, and friendship and solidarity between the two countries.
The meeting will also see discussions on the follow up of issues discussed at the delegation's 25th meeting, especially concerning border management, economic development, trade, culture and tourism, communication integration, and one-stop service facilities.
Two-way trade volume between Laos and Vietnam reached 2 billion U.S. dollars in 2015 and 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, Lao state-run Vientiane Times reported.
This year, the two countries will mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Lao-Vietnamese Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation as well as the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.