APOTC provinces sign memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation

(Baonghean.vn) - The provinces of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand agreed to promote cooperation in all fields and agreed to hold the 21st official conference in Nong Khai in February 2018.

Delegates from the provinces of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand sharing Highway 8 and Highway 12 witnessed the signing ceremony of the minutes of the 21st preparatory conference. Photo: TG

On the afternoon of November 9, in Vinh City, the signing ceremony of the Minutes of the 21st Preparatory Conference of the three provinces of Vietnam - Laos - Thailand using Highway 8 and Highway 12 (APOTC) took place.

Looking back at the cooperation results, the delegations came to a common understanding that the provinces have actively coordinated to effectively implement the contents of the Minutes of the 20th Summit signed on March 8, 2017 in Bung Kan, especially in the fields of education, culture, trade and tourism.

In the coming time, the Vietnamese, Lao and Thai provinces attending the conference will cooperate more closely in the fields of: Education, culture, sports, tourism, science and technology; Trade and Investment; Transport and Agriculture.

Accordingly, the provinces will continue to support cooperation and exchange activities in training cadres, lecturers and students, have mechanisms to support scholarships, tuition fees, accommodation and create conditions for participants. Workers in the professions are supported to move freely according to the agreement within the framework of the ASEAN Community. Along with that, the parties will strengthen and develop the organization of caravan-style tours (eating 3 meals a day), strengthen cooperation between the government and businesses...

In addition, the parties pledged to create favorable conditions for businesses from nine provinces of the three countries to discuss and seek investment cooperation opportunities to serve economic development; enhance trade development in border areas; coordinate to simplify and speed up administrative procedures at border gates, and quickly and conveniently handle the movement of people and goods.

Regarding transport infrastructure, the signing minutes also clearly stated that APOTC members will continue to recommend that the Ministries of Transport of the three countries soon complete the procedures for signing the Memorandum of Understanding on adding Route 8 and Route 12 in the territory of Vietnam and Laos to Protocol No. 1 of the Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of People and Goods between the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS-CBTA); Promote the construction of the Vientiane - Pak Xan (Bolykhamxay) - Thanh Thuy (Nghe An) - Hanoi expressway...

Leaders of Nghe An province presented souvenirs to the provinces attending the conference. Photo: TG

The parties also agreed on the time and venue for the 21st official conference in January 2018, in Nong Khai province, Kingdom of Thailand.

On this occasion, Nghe An province and provinces from three neighboring countries in ASEAN exchanged meaningful souvenirs, imbued with national identity and demonstrating goodwill for cooperation.

Thu Giang