Laos and China have reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in the maintenance of security along their shared border with the signing of a new agreement.
The agreement was signed by the Head of the National Boundary Committee Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Phaengsavanh Keopaseuth, and Deputy Director General of the Border and Ocean Affairs Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Mr. He Wei.
According to a statement from the Lao foreign ministry yesterday, the two parties signed the agreement during the 14th Laos-China Joint Border Inspection Committee meeting, held in China from October 25-29.
Under the new agreement, the two parties will share ideas, information and experiences concerning border control, and officials requested that the number of security guards deployed along their shared border be increased.
Regarding illegal trading and logging, the drug trade, human trafficking, transnational crime and other issues, the two parties also agreed to advise officials, districts and local authorities along their shared border to be extra vigilant.
The two parties also agreed to join forces to curb the sale and distribution of drugs and clamp down on other activities causing problems in the border area. They agreed to run a drug awareness campaign to educate people about the risks and dangers of using or dealing in drugs.
This will help to maintain peace and order among communities living in border areas. During the meeting, officials discussed tightening border security between the neighbouring countries, and also boosting ties and strengthening cooperation between the two countries to achieve greater security and peace along the Laos-China border.
The meeting sought to exchange ideas and review joint operations since the 13th meeting. Participants signed a memorandum on cooperation between local officials to allow them to handle any problems as they arise.
The meeting reiterated the high value placed by both nations on ensuring a border of peace, friendship and cooperation.
Although security along the border in many parts of the two countries has improved over the years, theft, illegal trade, drug trafficking and other anti-social activities still remain prevalent and those must be urgently addressed, officials in charge said.
Source: Vientiane Times
