Vietnam, Laos hold 34th annual border meeting in Vientiane
WVR - From December 25 to 27, Vietnam and Laos held the 34th annual border meeting in Vientiane.
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| Overview of the 34th Annual Border Meeting between Vietnam and Laos. (Photo: National Boundary Commission) |
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Nguyen Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Lao delegation was headed by Maythong Thammavongsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
In an atmosphere of profound friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and deep trust, as well as mutual understanding and respect, both sides delved into discussions, assessing the situation and results of the 2016 Agreement on Border Management and Border Gate Regulations between Vietnam and Laos, the minutes of the 33rd annual meeting over 2024-2025, and outlined cooperation directions in line with the "great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic connection" between Vietnam and Laos in the coming period.
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| Nguyen Minh Vu, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation, speaking at the meeting. (Photo: National Boundary Commission)
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The two sides exchanged views and evaluated border management in 2025, proposing practical solutions to further enhance the effectiveness of border management in the new context. Over 2024-2025, the Vietnam-Laos Joint Border Expert Team conducted 10 field surveys, promptly addressing emerging issues in the border area.
Both sides effectively coordinated in: (i) managing and protecting the border line and markers; (ii) overseeing construction activities in the border area in accordance with the 2016 Agreement, especially for projects within 100 meters of the border line; (iii) managing and developing border gates, achieving positive outcomes. The management and control of entry and exit at border gates and crossings were conducted in accordance with relevant international treaties and bilateral agreements between Vietnam and Laos, contributing to security, order, and social safety in the border gate area.
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| Maythong Thammavongsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Lao Delegation, speaking at the meeting. (Photo: National Boundary Commission) |
Both sides enhanced operational measures to promptly detect, combat, and effectively prevent cross-border and transnational criminal organizations and networks in accordance with relevant treaties and international agreements signed by Vietnam and Laos. They closely coordinated in implementing agreements related to cross-border trade agreed upon in the minutes of the 33rd annual meeting; regularly coordinated in disseminating and promoting the two legal documents on the Vietnam-Laos border and bilateral agreements related to border management and protection.
At the meeting, the two sides exchanged extensive views and reached a significant common understanding on cooperation directions and tasks for 2026 in various areas: managing and protecting the border line and markers; overseeing construction activities in the border area and at border gates; managing entry, exit, and cross-border movement; maintaining and protecting security, order, and social safety in the border area; promoting trade cooperation and development between the two border sides; disseminating and promoting border-related laws.
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| Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maythong Thammavongsa sign the minutes. (Photo: National Boundary Commission) |
Both sides agreed to initiate preparations to ensure the effective joint inspection of the border line and markers as stipulated in the Protocol on the Border Line and Markers signed on March 16, 2016, and the 2016 Agreement; to proceed with amending and supplementing the 2016 Agreement to suit the new situation. They agreed to organize the 35th annual border meeting in Vietnam in the fourth quarter of 2026.
