Quang Binh(VNA) – High-ranking delegations of the central province of Quang Binh and Savannakhet province of Laos held talks and signed a new cooperation agreement in DongHoi city on June 19.

Quang Binh's delegation to the talks was led by Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Vu Dai Thang, while Savannakhet's delegation was headed by SantiphapPhomvihan, Secretary of the Party Committee and Governor of the province.

The two sides briefedeach other on the socio-economic, defence-security situation and the buildingof the Party and administration of each province, while reviewing theircollaboration outcomes over the years.

They shared delight atimportant achievements that both sides have reached in many fields such aspolitics, economy, socio-culture, defence, security and external relations, aswell as their growing ties.

The leaders of the two provinces signed the minutes of the talks, which include important development cooperationcontents.

Accordingly, the twosides agreed to continue to increase the exchange of high-ranking delegationsand border working teams as well as delegations from Party and administration agencies and organisations to share experience with each other in particular areas.

They concurred to signtheir cooperation agreement every two years.

They will continue to promote communications among locals, especially youngsters, on thetraditional friendship, special solidarity between the two nations, Parties andStates as well as between Quang Binh and Savannakhet in particular.

Both sides willencourage and create optimal conditions for each other’s businesses andinvestors to cooperate in renewable energy, trade, tourism, services andproduction, while exchanging information and experience to promote theirtourism potential.

They will work closelywith each other to organsise trade fairs and strengthen bilateral tradepartnership, while supporting each other in difficult circumstances for commondevelopment. They will coordinate closely in holding activities to mark the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2022.

Quang Binh will helpSavannakhet train 20 college and university students each year in the 2022-2023and 2023-2024 academic years. The two provinces will propose the two governments allow the opening of Chut Mut-Lavin border gate.

The two sides also agreedto increase border law popularisation among local residents, and work closelytogether to deal with arising problems related to the national borders in line withthe treaty on land border and border gate management between the two countries.

At the same time, theywill conduct regular border patrols, ensure security in border areas, combat drug trafficking and smuggling along the shared border, and enhance mutual judicial support. They will also encourage the partnership in otherfields in line with the demand and capacity of each province./.