Annual border work talks between the two provinces of Quang Tri

This afternoon, January 13th, the annual border affairs talks between Quang Tri province (Vietnam) and Savannakhet province (Laos) for 2023 took place in Dong Ha City. Attending the meeting were the Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Provincial Border Affairs Steering Committee, Ha Sy Dong; and the Vice Governor and Head of the Savannakhet Provincial Border Affairs Steering Committee, Ling-thong Seng-ta-van.

During the talks, the heads of the border delegations from Quang Tri and Savannakhet provinces informed each other about the political and socio-economic situation of the two provinces, assessed the results of coordination in border work between the two provinces in 2023, and proposed some contents for cooperation in border work in 2024.

Annual border work talks between Quang Tri and Savannakhet provinces.

Leaders of Quang Tri and Savannakhet provinces signed cooperation agreements at the meeting - Photo: LN

Speaking at the meeting, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ha Sy Dong affirmed that, regarding the coordination of border management and protection, effective propaganda and mobilization efforts have been carried out to raise awareness among people on both sides of the border about the importance and historical significance of the Vietnam-Laos border and the system of border markers.

Regarding cooperation in border area development and strengthening cross-border investment and trade cooperation between the two provinces, in 2023, import and export activities through the Lao Bao - Densavan International Border Gate pair showed an upward trend. On October 14, 2023, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision No. 1201/QD-TTg approving the planning of border gates on the Vietnam - Laos land border line for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050. This included agreeing to upgrade the Ta Rung - La Co sub-border gate pair to a main border gate (with a vision to 2050)...

Based on the results of the discussions, Quang Tri and Savannakhet provinces agreed on 11 areas of cooperation for 2024. Among these, both sides will continue to effectively carry out propaganda and mobilization efforts to ensure that the people comply with the legal documents on the border between Vietnam and Laos, which were signed by the two governments in 2016.

Quang Tri province has completed the issuance of citizenship and civil registration documents for Lao migrants who have freely migrated and entered into non-marital unions in the border region of the province; Savannakhet province is paying attention to supporting and creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese migrants who have been approved by the Vietnamese and Lao governments to obtain citizenship documents; and is implementing policies and regulations well to help them quickly stabilize their lives and integrate into the community.

The Lao government has officially agreed in principle to open a temporary border crossing between Xa Dun and A Roong. Quang Tri province is continuing to complete the dossier to submit to the Vietnamese government for the opening of the A Roong – Xa Dun border crossing, part of the Lao Bao – Den Sa Vang International Border Gate pair, to facilitate and support the implementation of the AMI Savannakhet Wind Power Plant Project in Sepon district, Savannakhet province.

At the same time, both sides agreed to direct relevant departments and agencies to coordinate the organization of the "Lao Bao - Densavan Joint Cross-Border Economic and Trade Zone" workshop, which is expected to be held at the Lao Bao International Border Gate at the end of February 2024.

Both sides continued to direct relevant agencies to accelerate administrative reforms and apply the "digital border gate" model to facilitate import and export activities, as well as the entry and exit of people, goods, and vehicles through the Lao Bao - Densavan International Border Gate. Both sides agreed to promote and direct local agencies to continue effectively implementing the model of twinning villages and border guard posts on both sides of the border...

Le Nhu

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