During their talk on Sunday, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Lao Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith discussed ways to promote bilateral border cooperation. The talk was made during Minh’s visit to the Lao province of Luang Prabang from June 14-16 to seek ways to strengthen cooperation at the two countries’ border areas. The two ministers agreed to step up cooperation in borderline management and implement border regulations signed by the two countries. They discussed measures to develop border economic zones and improve transport infrastructure and the border gate system in order to facilitate economic and trade cooperation. In addition, they said, the two countries will intensify their fight against cross-border crimes and illegal border crossing. They also highly valued the two sides’ efforts in implementing the signed project to increase and upgrade the system of border markers along the borderline between Laos and Vietnam. The two officials agreed that the two countries will strive to fulfill the project by 2014 as planned. Besides, they agreed to strengthen their border officials and people’s awareness about border laws, with the aim to build a shared border of peace, friendship and sustainable development. In related news, a workshop was held in central Thanh Hoa province on June 12 to discuss issues related to the Vietnam-Laos border. Local leaders and border guards from 16 communes of the province, which shares 192 km border line with Laos, attended the seminar. They heard reports on cross-border trade last year and co-operation plans for 2013. They also discussed regulations on border trade, border security, and building and protecting the border line. The event’s participants also exchanged experience and proposed solutions to further raise public awareness on border construction and protection.