Quang Tri, Savannakhet strengthen cooperation in border management

In Kaysone Phomvihane City, Savannakhet Province, Laos, the 2024 annual meeting was recently held between the Savannakhet Provincial Police and the Border Guard Command of Quang Tri Province. The meeting was chaired by Colonel Sangthong Sipasert, Deputy Director of the Savannakhet Security Department.

At the meeting, both sides highly valued the results of implementing the 2023 annual meeting agreement. Key achievements included regular exchanges of information and updates on security and order along the shared border and border checkpoints between Quang Tri Province and Savannakhet Province. Efforts were focused on countering activities by hostile forces, overseas reactionary organizations, and individuals exploiting ethnic and religious issues to disrupt the solidarity between Vietnam and Laos.

Leaders of the Savannakhet Provincial Police and the Quang Tri Provincial Border Guard Command sign the 2024 Annual Dialogue Agreement. Photo: Dinh Tien

The two sides actively monitored developments along the shared border, collaborated in crime prevention and suppression, and closely managed border areas and checkpoints. They also maintained regular visits and greetings on national holidays, festivals, and traditional anniversaries of the two countries.

The meeting concluded with the signing of the 2024 annual meeting agreement, which outlined the following points:

Enhanced Collaboration: Continue deepening cooperation in monitoring and sharing information and effectively combating crimes, especially drug trafficking, smuggling, commercial fraud, counterfeit goods, human trafficking, illegal border crossings, and unauthorized trade or transport of weapons, explosives, counterfeit currency, and minerals. Efforts will also target activities by overseas reactionary groups, individuals exploiting ethnic and religious issues, terrorism, cybercrime, and other violations related to the shared border.

Border Management: Strengthen coordination in managing and monitoring border crossings for people, vehicles, and goods at checkpoints, ensuring smooth border operations while promptly detecting and addressing violations of the Vietnam-Laos 2016 Agreement on Border and Border Gate Regulations.

Crime Prevention: Intensify control in key areas and border checkpoints to prevent, apprehend, and address criminal activities and legal violations. The two sides will also work together to resolve administrative challenges related to cross-border travel documents for border residents.

Legal Awareness and Training: Promote legal awareness and encourage residents on both sides of the border to adhere to the 2016 Agreement on Border and Border Gate Regulations. Additionally, enhances cooperation in training and capacity building to meet the requirements of the current situation.

The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both provinces to maintaining close and effective collaboration in border management and security.

Dinh Tien - Ngoc Mai