Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – Vietnamese and Lao localities along theshared border discussed religious affairs during a conference in Vietnam’scentral province of Thua Hien-Hue on December 21.
The event, held by the Government Committee for Religious Affairs andthe Ministry of Home Affairs of Vietnam and the Lao Front for NationalConstruction Central Committee, aimsto build a shared border of peace, stability and development.
Delegates agreed on the need to intensify the communication work amongborder residents, including religious followers, to promote the fruitfulneighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive, long-term,sustainable cooperation between the two countries.
The two sides should create conditions for religious dignitaries and followersto exercise their religions in line with law of each country, enhanceinformation exchange and join hands in ensuring political security, and socialorder and safety in the border area, they said.
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Trong Thua said cooperationbetween Vietnam and Laos in religious matters has been stepped up and reapedsignificant outcomes.
Vice President of the Lao Front for National Construction Central CommitteeKhambay Damlat, said over the past time his front has instructed its chaptersin the ten provinces that border Vietnam to exchange experience, and coordinatewith the Vietnamese Government Committee for Religious Affairs to promoterelations between hamlets and districts of the two countries and encouragetheir residents to attend religious festivals of each other.
The chapters have also supported local authorities in encouraging residents toexercise their religions in line with law, and join efforts in fightingcorruption and other bad deeds in the border area, he said.-VNA