Stable border areas contribute to Vietnam – Laos special ties

Thứ Năm, 21/09/2017, 17:45

From 2008-2016, Vietnam - Lao partnered to implement the project on increasing and upgrading border markers. There are now 1,002 border markers and posts at 905 positions, which are specified in the Protocol on Vietnam – Laos borderline and border markers signed on March 16, 2016.

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry held a conference in Ha Noi on September 19 to review the implementation of a master plan on increasing and upgrading Viet Nam-Laos border markers, and on the implementation of relevant documents aiming to effectively exercise State management over national border and territory.

The event was attended by Prime Minister (PM) Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, and leaders of ministries, departments, sectors and 10 border provinces.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the event.

In his speech, Deputy PM Minh, who is also head of the State Steering Committee on Land Border Demarcation and Marker Planting, highlighted the significance of the conference as it marked the completion of border demarcation and land marker planting along the Viet Nam-Laos borderline.

On January 30, 2008, the PM issued a decision approving a master plan on increasing and upgrading the system of national land markers between Viet Nam and Laos. Implementing the PM’s direction, the Foreign Ministry has coordinated with relevant ministries, sectors and localities, and the Lao side to successfully realize the master plan.

On March 16, 2016, the Foreign Ministry worked with the Lao side to successfully hold a closing ceremony of the project to increase and upgrade markers along the Vietnam-Laos border. At the ceremony, both sides signed two important documents, including a protocol on the Viet Nam-Laos border and markers, and an agreement on border and border checkpoint management regulations.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresing the conference.

It was a significant event in Viet Nam-Laos special traditional friendly relations. The two documents have already taken effect since September 5, 2017 on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, said Deputy PM Minh.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stated that Party, State and Government leaders of Vietnam and Laos have always paid special attention to border and territory-related issues between the countries.

The PM said before the master plan, only one marker was installed every 10km and even 40km of the border line. There are now 1,002 border markers and more than 2,337 poles standing along the borderline, with most of them lying in mountainous areas having rough terrains.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh speaking at the event.

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

According to PM Phuc, this work is also a vivid symbol of the special, long-standing friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, helping to facilitate exchanges of border residents, consolidate political security, social order and safety, and guarantee national defence and border security.

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

Delegates at the event.

To improve the efficiency of border management in the new situation, the leader pointed to the necessity to carry forward outcomes of border marker planting and upgrading, take care of material and spiritual life of border residents, especially ethnic minorities living in difficult circumstances, preserve a border of peace, friendship and cooperation, and ensure security and order, 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 on land border and border checkpoint management mechanisms, he said.

Leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs honors individuals, organizations for their outstanding achievements in implementing the project on increasing and upgrading Vietnam-Laos border markers.

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

The Vietnam-Laos borderline stretches as far as nearly 2,337km, through 10 Vietnamese and 10 Lao provinces. On July 18, 1977, Vietnam and Laos concluded negotiations and signed the Convention on National Border Demarcation.
Accordingly, from 1978-1987, both sides basically completed border demarcation in the field and settled emerging issues such as the transfer of land, people and assets in line with international law. The results were hailed in the Supplementary Treaty to the 1976 Treaty on National Boundary Delimination signed on January 24, 1986 and the Protocol on border demarcation in the field and border marker planting inked on January 24, 1986 and the supplementary Protocol to the Protocol on border demarcation in the field and border marker planting signed on October 16, 1987.
Since 1987, the two sides have devised a digital Vietnam-Laos national map at a scale of 1:50,000, dealt with all discrepancies in borderline, border markers and border sections, signed the Vietnam – Laos – China and Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia border conventions.
From 2008-2016, the two countries partnered to implement the project on increasing and upgrading Vietnam-Laos border markers. There are now 1,002 border markers and posts at 905 positions, which are specified in the Protocol on Vietnam – Laos borderline and border markers signed on March 16, 2016.

By Phung Nguyen