Quang Tri, Savannakhet strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation

Quang Tri Province and Laos’ Savannakhet Province signed several agreements on May 8 to strengthen their cooperative ties and friendship.

The two provinces agreed to continue effectively implementing the cooperation agreement for the 2023-2025 period.

The delegations of Quang Tri and Savannakhet provinces take a group photo. Photo: Ta Hung

Both sides will assign relevant agencies to assess the results of the current cooperation and prepare to sign a new agreement for the 2026-2030 period.

They also pledged to promptly address any difficulties or obstacles during the implementation process.

Quang Tri and Savannakhet will increase public awareness, especially among the youth, of the special traditional friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

Communication efforts will focus on border regulations, cross-border marriages, and preventing illegal migration.

Security forces of both provinces will work closely to counter any sabotage attempts by hostile and reactionary forces and to refute false and hostile viewpoints.

They will also implement measures to ensure economic security, cybersecurity, and information safety. Authorities will detect and neutralize threats from cyberspace and strengthen successful border village-pairing models.

In 2024, the two provinces jointly held a successful seminar titled “Lao Bao – Densavan Cross-Border Economic Zone: From Idea to Reality.”

As of now, Quang Tri Province has collected feedback from national ministries and submitted the draft agreement to the Prime Minister.

After receiving feedback from the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Quang Tri will coordinate with Savannakhet to work with Lao ministries on finalizing the agreement before submission to both governments for approval.

The two sides will also continue to restore and fix damaged or eroded border markers, promote cross-border trade, and facilitate the movement of citizens between the two countries.

Quang Tri and Savannakhet sign a collaborative agreement to boost bilateral relations in 2023-2025. Photo: Ta Hung

They will support border residents in crossing the border, exchanging goods, visiting relatives, and working together to develop the local economy. Both sides will also share good practices to help improve living standards in border areas.

Quang Tri will continue to help Savannakhet develop its human resources at different levels. The two provinces also agreed to promote exchanges in culture, arts, and sports.

These agreements were reached during a bilateral meeting held in Savannakhet Province.

The meeting was co-chaired by Bounchom Oubonpaseuth, Secretary of the Savannakhet Provincial Party Committee cum Governor of the province, and Nguyen Long Hai, Secretary of the Quang Tri Provincial Party Committee.

Vietnamese Consul General in Savannakhet Dang Thi Hai Tam also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, leaders of both provinces shared key achievements in economic, social, and defense matters.

Both sides expressed confidence that this visit by Quang Tri’s high-ranking delegation would further strengthen the special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, and between Quang Tri and Savannakhet.

On this occasion, Quang Tri Province funded Savannakhet with VND200 million (US$7,700) to support local social welfare programs.

Ta Hung – Huy Anh