A memorandum of understanding on the cooperation was signed during a working visit to Quang Tri on July 19 by Secretary of the Savannakhet provincial Party Committee and Governor Souphan Keomisay.

The two sides agreed to study plans, measures and mechanisms for cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam-Laos Cooperative Strategy in 2011-2020.

They looked into how to take advantage of the East-West economic corridor, including the construction of Lao Bao special trade and economic zone and Densavan border economic zone.

Quang Tri pledged to provide Savannakhet with VND6 billion to aid the implementation of its priority cooperative projects in education and training, health care, agriculture, and infrastructure in border areas. 

During the visit, host and guest reviewed the results of cooperation in tourism, education and training, science and technology over the past two years.

In national defence and security, the two sides cooperated in preventing and fighting crime – particularly smuggling and drug trafficking along the common border – contributing to building a border of peace and friendship.

The two sides completed the planting of 31 out of 35 markers along the shared border.

With Savannakhet’s assistance, in 2010 and the first six months of 2011, Quang Tri found and repatriated remains of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts fallen in Laos during the war. 

During the reviewed period, Quang Tri provided Savannakhet with VND1.5 billion to build a school in Muang Nong district.