The governments of Laos and Vietnam marked the completion of the border demarcation and maintenance of border markers project at a ceremony held in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong led a high-level Lao delegation at the event on Wednesday, according to a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Lao prime ninister and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung congratulated each other on the completion of the project, which has been ongoing for several years.

During the ceremony, the two governments signed two documents comprising a Sub-agreement on Borderline and Border Markers, and an Agreement on Border and Border Checkpoint Management.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongloun Sisoulith and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Bình Minh signed the documents, witnessed by the two prime ministers.

From 2008-2014, the Lao and Vietnamese governments oversaw a project to install border markers between their 20 adjoining provinces over a distance of 2,337 km. A total of 1,002 markers were installed along the shared border.

Since then, the two countries have drawn up the Sub-agreement on Borderline and Border Markers and the Agreement on Border and Border Checkpoint Management, and produced maps of the border area. These projects were completed this year. The governments of the two countries say the border demarcation and maintenance of the border markers project will contribute significantly to the management of their shared border and will pave the way for more rapid social and economic development in the border area.

The Lao and Vietnamese prime ministers praised the joint committees in charge of the project for their dedicated work, which had resulted in the completion of the project.

The two premiers called for the relevant departments of Laos and Vietnam and local citizens to protect and maintain the border markers and ensure the shared border was an area of peace, friendship, stability and sustainable development.

The two governments described the completion of the project as of '€˜historical significance', saying it had been accomplished through the spirit of special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam.

During the ceremony, PM Thongsing and PM Dung awarded Labor and Friendship medals as well as Certificates of Praise from the two foreign ministers to departments and officials in recognition of their contribution to the project.  

Thongsing and his delegation also paid a courtesy call on Vietnam's President Truong Tan Sang.(+)

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