Annual border talks between Quang Tri and Savannakhet provinces

This afternoon, January 13, in Dong Ha City, the annual border work conference between Quang Tri Province (Vietnam) and Savannakhet Province (Laos) in 2023 took place. Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Provincial Border Work Steering Committee Ha Sy Dong attended the conference. On the side of Savannakhet Province, there was Deputy Governor, Head of the Provincial Border Work Steering Committee Ling-thong Seng-ta-van.

Within the framework of the talks, the Heads of the border delegations of Quang Tri and Savannakhet provinces informed each other of some information on the political and socio-economic situation of the two provinces in 2023; assessed the results of coordination in border work between the two provinces in 2023 and proposed some contents of cooperation in border work between the two provinces in 2024.

Leaders of Quang Tri and Savannakhet provinces signed cooperation contents at the talks - Photo: LN

Speaking at the meeting, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Ha Sy Dong emphasized that regarding the coordination of border management and protection: propaganda and mobilization work for people on both sides of the border to raise awareness of the importance and historical significance of the Vietnam - Laos border, and the system of national border markers continues to be effectively implemented.

Regarding cooperation in developing border areas and enhancing 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 will continue to increase.

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 for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050. In particular, it agreed to upgrade the Ta Rung - La Co sub-border gate pair to the main border gate (with a vision to 2050)...

Based on the discussion results, the two provinces of Quang Tri and Savannakhet agreed on 11 cooperation contents in 2024. In particular, the two sides continue to effectively carry out propaganda and mobilize people to comply with legal documents on the border between Vietnam and Laos signed by the two governments in 2016.

Quang Tri province has completed the issuance of nationality and civil status papers to Lao people who migrated freely and married without a certificate in the province's border areas; Savannakhet province is interested in supporting and creating conditions for Vietnamese migrants who have been approved by the Central Governments of the two countries to be granted nationality papers; and well implementing the prescribed regimes and policies so that people can soon stabilize their lives and integrate into the community.

The Lao Government has issued a document agreeing to the policy of temporarily opening the Xa Dun - A Roong passage. Quang Tri Province continues to complete the dossier to submit to the Vietnamese Government to open the A Roong - Xa Dun passage for goods clearance at the Lao Bao - Den Sa Van International Border Gate pair to facilitate and support the implementation of the AMI Savannakhet Wind Power Plant Project in Sepon District, Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR.

At the same time, the two sides agreed to direct relevant departments and branches to coordinate in organizing the Workshop "Lao Bao - Den Sa Van Joint Cross-Border Economic and Trade Zone" scheduled to be held at Lao Bao International Border Gate at the end of February 2024.

The two sides continued to direct relevant agencies to promote administrative reform, apply the "digital border gate" model to facilitate import and export activities, entry and exit of people, goods and vehicles through the Lao Bao - Densavan International Border Gate pair. The two sides agreed to promote and direct local agencies to continue to effectively promote the model of village - village twinning, Border Guard Station - Border Guard Station on both sides of the border...

Le Nhu

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