Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated thatParty, State and Government leaders of Vietnam and Laos have always paid specialattention to border and territory-related issues between the countries.

He was speaking at a conference reviewing the implementation of a masterplan on increasing and upgrading Vietnam-Laos border markers in Hanoi onSeptember 19.

The PM said before the master plan, only one marker was installed every10km and even 40km of the border line. There are now 1,002 border markers andmore than 2,337 poles standing along the borderline, with most of them lying inmountainous areas having rough terrains.

The outcome is of significance as it serves as a foundation to completea legal dossier for the Vietnam-Laos border line, he said.

“The completion of the master plan is an important event whichdemonstrates the unity, mutual trust and understanding between the two Parties,States and peoples,” he said.

This work is also a vivid symbol of the special, long-standingfriendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos,helping to facilitate exchanges of border residents, consolidate politicalsecurity, social order and safety, and guarantee national defence and bordersecurity, PM Phuc said.

He applauded efforts made by relevant Vietnamese ministries, agenciesand ten border localities which have constructively participated in the work,and thanked the Lao Government, ministries, agencies and people for theircooperation and support during the implementation of the master plan.

Talking about potential risks to regional and global security, PM Phucunderscored the need to build and protect the national border on the basis ofequality and mutual respect, in line with international law.

To improve the efficiency of border management in the new situation, theleader pointed to the necessity to carry forward outcomes of border markerplanting and upgrading, take care of material and spiritual life of borderresidents, especially ethnic minorities living in difficult circumstances,preserve a border of peace, friendship and cooperation, and ensure security andorder, with attention paid to drug crime combat.

Vietnam and Laos should continue their collaboration in realising the protocol on borderline and border markers, and the agreement onland border and border checkpoint management mechanisms, hesaid.

The PM also called for close coordination between Vietnamese and Laoministries, agencies and localities in promoting trade, investment and tourismin the border areas.

Efforts should be channeled into developing socio-economicinfrastructure, especially in transport, and border gates, he said.
Another important job is to raise public awareness of the significanceof the border markers, he added.

Vietnam-Laos borderline stretches as faras nearly 2,337km, through ten Vietnamese and ten Lao provinces. On July 18,1977, the two countries concluded negotiations and signed the Convention onNational Border Demarcation.   

Accordingly, from 1978-1987, both sidesbasically completed border demarcation in the field and settled emerging issuessuch as the transfer of land, people and assets in line with international law.

From 2008-2016, they partnered toimplement the project on increasing and upgrading Vietnam-Laos border markers,with the participation of more than 1,000 personnel. -VNA