viet lao 13 jun 2

vna

Vietnam, Laos to mark 40 years of diplomatic ties

Vietnam and Laos have discussed measures to jointly organise activities to mark their 40^th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 25^th signing anniversary of their Bilateral Friendship and Co-operation Agreement.

The talks took place between President of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association (LVFA) Phimasone Leuangkhamma and his Vietnamese counterpart, Vu Xuan Hong during the latter's visit to Laos from June 10-12.

The Vietnamese guest said that the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association (VLFA) will collaborate with relevant agencies to organise a nationwide contest entitled 'Vietnam-Laos In My Heart' from June 16 to September 2, a quiz on Lao culture to be televised live on the VTV3 channel, a literature composition contest on the Vietnam-Laos special friendship and co-operation and a special magazine on Vietnam-Laos friendship to be published in both Vietnamese and Lao languages.

VLFA President Hong conveyed his official invitations to representatives from the LVFA and 10 Lao provinces sharing borders with Vietnam to attend a festival of the two countries' border province's people."

While in Laos, the Vietnamese delegation was received by permanent Politburo member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Bouasone Bouphavanh who informed his guests of the establishment of the organising board for cultural and arts activities to celebrate these events. The board will be headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Somsavat Lengsavad. (VNA)

Vietnam, Laos discuss co-operation on drug control

Strengthening co-operation in fighting drug trafficking and illegal trading across the Vietnam-Laos border was discussed at an international seminar held in central Ha Tinh province on June 11-12.

Participants noted that drug trafficking through the Vietnam-Laos borderline had developed in a very complicated manner involving large quantities of drugs smuggled through the border in recent years.

Making assessment of drug trafficking and abuse in respective countries, the participants discussed measures to step up co-operation in preventing such crimes, including setting up a cross-border liaison office and exchanging information, equipment, and experts.