Vientiane (VNA) – Leading officials of the supremepeople’s courts of Vietnam and Laos on July 27 noted that cooperation betweenthe two court systems has developed in an increasingly substantive manner.

During their talks in Vientiane, Chief Justiceof the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Nguyen Hoa Binh and his Laocounterpart Khamphan Sitthidampha also said that at the central level, the twosides have regularly exchanged delegations and shared experience in judgingactivities and judicial reform. 

Meanwhile, many courts of border provinces havesigned memoranda of understanding to create legal foundation for promotingcooperation in crime fight. They have also coordinated to carry out jointactivities, especially in judicial entrustment, in an effective manner, thusgreatly helping with the settlement of criminal, civil and marriage cases.

The officials shared the view that bothcountries are determined in combating crimes, especially organised andtransnational crimes. Therefore, to improve this work, Vietnam and Laos shouldpush ahead with realising their Treaty on Mutual Legal Assistance in Civil andCriminal Matters, along with the two Governments’ agreement on drug preventionand control. They also need to exchange information about the crime situationand the handling of transnational crimes and crimes involving Vietnamese peoplein Laos and Lao people in Vietnam.

The chief justices also expressed their delightat the mutual support at international and regional forums, affirming that theywill continue assisting each other in the coming time.

At the talks, Khamphan Sitthidampha spoke highlyof the two court sectors’ partnership, particularly Vietnam’s support for Laosto set up administrative courts in its court system. He asked the Vietnameseside to continue to give training to and help Lao judges improve theircapacity.

He also thanked the Vietnamese Party, State andpeople, including the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam, for continuallyassisting the Lao people in all circumstances throughout history, including thetimely manpower and material aid for victims of the Sepien-Senamnoi hydropowerdam break in Attapeu province.

Nguyen Hoa Binh said Vietnam is ready to notonly give short-term training but also send experts to share professionalexpertise with Lao judges. He noted that the Vietnamese supreme court has askedthe Prime Minister to grant 10 scholarships for Lao university students tostudy at the Vietnam Court Academy, and these scholarships will be granted asfrom 2019.

On this occasion, the official also presented500 million VND (over 21,500 USD) donated by staff of the Vietnamese courtsector to help Lao people affected by the recent dam collapse.-VNA