Quang Tri, Salavan discuss border security cooperation

On January 6, the annual border cooperation conference between Quang Tri Province and Salavan Province (Laos) in 2023 took place at Dong Ha City.

The provinces of Quang Tri and Salavan have been entrusted with the task of jointly managing a 79.388 km-long border stretch. The two provinces collaborate in overseeing the segment from milestone 608 to milestone 644, encompassing 40 positions out of 42 national border markers and boundary pillars. This border line includes an international border gate pair (La Lay - La Lay) and a subsidiary border gate pair (Coc - A Xoc).

Overview of the annual conference on border security cooperation between Quang Tri and Salavan. Photo: L.N

During the framework of the annual conference, the delegation heads of the border representatives from Quang Tri and Salavan shared information regarding the political and socio-economic situations in their respective provinces in 2023. They evaluated the results of collaborative efforts related to the border between Quang Tri and Salavan since the annual conference held in Salavan province from October 2022 to the present.

Addressing the conference, Deputy Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee Ha Sy Dong emphasized the implementation of the 2022 annual conference minutes between Quang Tri and Salavan. The leadership of both provinces has created favorable conditions for agencies, departments, localities, businesses, and people on both sides to enhance cooperative relationships, invest in production and business, and assist each other in economic development while maintaining security and order along the border.

Functional departments and border districts of both provinces have cooperated in the fight against smuggling, transportation, and storage of drugs, explosives, prohibited goods, human trafficking, and illegal marriages within the border region.

Leaders from Quang Tri and Salavan sign cooperation agreements during the conference. Photo: L.N

This collaboration contributes to ensuring security and order along the Vietnam-Laos border. In 2023, the Border Steering Committee of Quang Tri and Salavan collaborated with central border experts from Vietnam and Laos to exchange and coordinate on matters related to facilitating the transport of coal imports and exports between Laos and Vietnam through the La Lay - La Lay international border gate pair.

In April 2023, Quang Tri Province sent a high-level delegation to attend the inauguration ceremony and put into operation three projects worth VND6 billion (US$246,000), funded by Quang Tri Province for Salavan Province during the 2020-2022 period. Import-export activities through the La Lay - La Lay international border gate pair have shown a continuous upward trend.

Based on the discussion results, aiming to strengthen the solidarity and special friendship between Vietnam and Laos, with the desire to jointly build a peaceful, friendly, and cooperative Vietnam-Laos border, the two provinces have agreed on eight cooperation points for 2024.

Therefore, they propose that Salavan province report to the Laos government for agreement and coordination in implementing the construction of the coal conveyor project across the border at the La Lay international border gate pair (Quang Tri) - La Lay (Salavan) area.

Both sides continue to closely coordinate efforts in border disease prevention and control, effectively limiting the spread of diseases within the border region.

Salavan Province continues to provide support, guidance, and assistance to newly naturalized residents in registering permanent residence and household registration, ensuring that individuals stabilize their lives and integrate into the local community.

Both sides continue to instruct relevant departments of each province to collaborate in planning mutual surveys, advising the government on unified content related to upgrading the subsidiary border gate pair Coc - A Xoc, according to regulations.

Le Nhu - Ngoc Mai