HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc stated that Party, State and Government leaders of Việt Nam and Laos have always paid special attention to border and territory-related issues between the two countries.

He was speaking at a conference reviewing the implementation of a master plan on increasing and upgrading Việt Nam-Laos border markers in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

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

The outcome is significant as it serves as a foundation to complete a legal dossier for the Việt Nam-Laos border line, he said.

“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 said.

This effort is also a vivid symbol of the special, long-standing friendship, solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between Việt Nam and Laos, helping to facilitate exchanges of border residents, consolidate political security, social order and safety, and guarantee national defence and border security, PM Phúc said.

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.

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

To improve the efficiency of border management in the new situation, the leader pointed to the necessity of carrying forward the outcomes of border marker planting and upgrades, taking care of the material and spiritual life of border residents, especially ethnic minorities living in difficult circumstances, preserving a border of peace, friendship and co-operation, and ensuring security and order, with particular attention paid to combating drug crime and trafficking.

Việt Nam 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.

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.

Efforts should be channeled into developing socio-economic infrastructure, especially in transport, and border gates, he said.

Another important job is to raise public awareness of the significance of the border markers, he added.

The Việt Nam-Laos borderline stretches nearly 2,337km, through ten Vietnamese and ten Lao provinces. On July 18, 1977, the two countries concluded negotiations and signed the Convention on National Border Demarcation.

Accordingly, between 1978 and 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.

From 2008-2016, they partnered to implement the project on increasing and upgrading Việt Nam-Laos border markers, with the participation of more than 1,000 personnel. — VNS