APOTC provinces sign memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation

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

Delegates from the provinces of Vietnam - Laos - 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 provinces of Vietnam - Laos - Thailand using Highway 8 and Highway 12 (APOTC) took place.

Looking back at the results of cooperation, 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 provinces of Vietnam - Laos - Thailand 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, with mechanisms to support scholarships, tuition fees, accommodation and create favorable conditions for participants. Workers in the professions will be 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 tours (eating 3 meals a day), strengthen cooperation between the government and businesses, etc.

In addition, the parties committed to creating favorable conditions for businesses from 9 provinces of 3 countries to discuss and seek investment cooperation opportunities to serve economic development; enhance trade development in border areas; coordinate to simplify and promote administrative procedures at border gates, 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 territories of Vietnam and Laos to Protocol No. 1 of the Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of People and Goods among 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