The event was jointly chaired by Senior Colonel Pham Hong Giang, Deputy Commanding Officer of the Dien Bien provincial Border Guard Command; Senior Colonel Ban Van Chanh, Deputy Commanding Officer of the Son La provincial Border Guard Command; Colonel Khamphone Sensyvongsa, Commanding Officer of the Phongsaly provincial Military Command; and Colonel Khamhone Thongseokovivanh, Deputy Commanding Officer of the Luangprabang provincial Military Command.
During the talks, the units exchanged information about the situation in each province and the results in border management and protection, as well as their coordination activities in law dissemination and education and the fight against different kinds of crime. The units strengthened patrols and coordinated with each other to prevent three cases involving 12 Lao citizens attempting illegal entry; a case involving three Lao people engaged in "smuggling cattle across the border;" five drug-related cases, arresting six individuals. The seized materials included 66,000 synthetic drug tablets, 35 grams of heroin, a homemade gun, and 10 kg of opium, among others.
In the time to come, both sides agreed to continue to strictly implement the viewpoints, guidelines, and foreign policies of the two parties, governments and militaries; further deepen friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in an effective and substantive manner.
Meanwhile, they will enhance information exchange related to the situation of socio-economic development in each province; activities taking advantage of ethnic and religious issues to incite and entice believers and people; illegal trafficking and transportation of drugs, weapons, and explosives; as well as smuggling of cattle across the border, illegal entry and exit, and migration.
The units will coordinate with each other in sharing experience and organizing refresher courses for officers on border management and protection and the fight against different kinds of crime while enhancing bilateral patrols and twinning initiatives among communes and districts in border areas.
Translated by Quynh Oanh