Thailand
Laos-Vietnam justice cooperation marked with medals
Justice officials from Laos and Vietnam met in Vientiane yesterday to mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the 40th anniversary of the Friendship Treaty and Laos-Vietnam Cooperation, and the 35th anniversary of the countries’ collaboration between their respective ministries.
The event attended by Deputy Prime Minister SonexaySiphandone saw Lao Minister of Justice XaysiSantivong host his counterpart from Vietnam, Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long.
MrSonexay presented a First Class Medal of Liberty to the Ministry of Justice of Vietnam and a Second Class Medal of Liberty to Mr Le Thanh Long in recognition of their contributions to the development of Laos.
“Today is an important occasion for the justice ministries of Laos and Vietnam as we mark the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations, the 40th anniversary of the Friendship Treaty and Laos-Vietnam Cooperation, and the 35th anniversary of Ministries-of-Justice cooperation between Laos and Vietnam,” MrXaysi told the gathering.
He said the peoples of Laos and Vietnam had benefited from a close and friendly relationship over many decades that had been further developed and forged throughout changing times until the present, something clearly reflected in the work of the two ministries.
“Cooperation on law and justice between the two ministries has continued since the signing of our cooperation agreement in 1982. Since then, the Ministry of Justice of Vietnam has assisted Laos in multiple aspects of law and legal procedure, and technical and justice affairs, and provided support by way of equipment,” he said.
MrXaysi thanked the Ministry of Justice of Vietnam for continually encouraging educational institutions in Vietnam to assist the development of human resources in law and justice for the benefit of Laos.
Over 35 years, 627 Lao justice personnel have graduated from Vietnam with intermediate level qualifications.
Lao nationals obtained 43 bachelor, 72 Master’s and four doctorate degrees with most of the recipients continuing to work in the justice sector in Laos.
Vietnam also assisted in the provision of infrastructure for Laos’ Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry of Justice of Vietnam had also sent experts to help develop the Lao curriculum and funded teaching rooms and improvements to the National Justice Institute and similar institutions in the provinces of LuangPrabang, Savannakhet and Champassak.
Ministry-level cooperation and exchanges on law and justice involved meetings between adjacent provinces along the Laos-Vietnam border.
These efforts to secure the countries’ shared frontier and proactively address cross-border issues is seen as the fundamental focus for the development of relationships and strengthening bilateral cooperation efforts in the development of the justice sector, MrXaysi said.
Both ministries agreed to continue cooperation and development of the judicial sector as they mark their 35th anniversary and to continue to work closely to address relevant issues.
In 2018, the two ministries will continue to implement their cooperation plan, with the Lao Ministry of Justice set to host the fourth justice meeting between adjacent provinces on the Laos-Vietnam border.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Laosviet.html