Strengthening people-to-people diplomacy in Vietnam-Laos relations

(Baonghean.vn)-Foreign policy orientation in relations with Laos focuses on issues such as: trade and economics, science and technology, education, health, in which the focus is on people-to-people diplomacy activities.

On the morning of June 14, the Provincial People's Committee organized a consultation on the draft report assessing the results of the Party's foreign affairs, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy with the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Comrade Le Ngoc Hoa - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council and People's Committee of Nghe An province always deeply understand the importance of foreign affairs in the sustainable friendly relationship with the Lao PDR. Photo: My Nga

Nghe An province has the longest land border with Laos in the country (419 km), accounting for more than 20% of the length of the Vietnam - Laos border, with 6 districts bordering 3 provinces of the Lao PDR.

The conference basically agreed with the results of Nghe An province's foreign affairs activities with Laos in the period of 2011-2016, which closely followed the foreign policies and guidelines of the Party and State. At the same time, it demonstrated dynamism, flexibility, and coverage of all fields and at all levels of government. Therefore, all activities were effective and the quality was increasingly improved.

At the meeting, representatives of departments, branches, sectors and localities actively contributed ideas to complete the draft report, focusing on the direction and tasks of foreign affairs activities with Lao PDR in the period 2017-2020 and the following years.

Strengthening people-to-people diplomacy

Believing that the people of Vietnam and Laos have many similarities in culture, communication, and daily life, and have a long-standing and sustainable friendship, Mr. Luong Thanh Hai - Head of the Provincial Ethnic Minorities Committee suggested that the direction of activities should emphasize strengthening people-to-people diplomacy, thereby creating conditions for people in border areas to develop cultural and economic trade.

Agreeing with this direction, the representative of the Board of Directors of Vinh Medical University proposed to strengthen labor cooperation. Giving specific examples, the Vice President of Vinh Medical University said that every year, Nghe An students graduating from school are still facing difficulties in finding suitable jobs. Meanwhile, in Laos, there is a shortage of highly trained human resources, especially in fields such as nursing and medical professions. Labor exchange cooperation not only solves jobs for Nghe An students after graduation, but also helps Laos have a team of well-trained staff.

Mr. Luong Thanh Hai - Head of the Ethnic Minorities Committee of the People's Committee participated in contributing comments to the draft report. Photo: My Nga

The representative of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship Union expressed the view that "People's foreign affairs work is the people doing international mass mobilization", so it is necessary to mobilize all people to participate in foreign affairs activities. In recent years, 6 border districts have built 18 pairs of village - village friendship, bringing positive signals in grasping information and orienting the foreign affairs viewpoints of the Party and State. Therefore, it is necessary to promote and improve the effectiveness of this foreign affairs model, building many pairs of district and village friendships.

Also from the effectiveness of the village-to-village exchange, representatives of districts bordering Laos such as Tuong Duong, Ky Son, Thanh Chuong proposed to increase financial support for this activity, creating favorable conditions for trade, building a peaceful border, and special friendship.

Focus on training high-quality human resources

Regarding enhancing training cooperation, the representatives suggested that universities increase support for Lao students when they come to study in Nghe An, and organize many useful activities such as Vietnamese language competitions for Lao students at universities and colleges. This is a useful and practical activity in popularizing and improving Vietnamese language proficiency for students, as well as strengthening the Vietnam - Laos friendship.

The Head of the Ethnic Minorities Committee of the Provincial People's Committee gave his opinion on training human resources for Laos in the following forms: in addition to Nghe An province's scholarships for Lao students, it is necessary to mobilize Vietnamese enterprises in Laos to award scholarships to encourage and attract Lao students; or to promote the effectiveness of the "Family Friendship Exchange" movement.

Furthermore, universities and colleges should encourage self-funded training.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: My Nga

At the end of the meeting, Comrade Le Ngoc Hoa, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, received the opinions and assigned the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Provincial People's Committee Office to synthesize and supplement to complete the report. At the same time, he requested the districts bordering Laos to make specific action plans, focusing on the areas within the core tasks.

At the meeting, the representatives also contributed their opinions on issues such as: building economic and trade projects that need to carefully survey the potential of both sides as well as the needs of the people; protecting forests at border markers; coordinating to ensure security and order; opening and developing pairs of border gates... Regarding the presentation format, the delegates attending the meeting suggested amending some points regarding the layout and abbreviations in the document.

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