国际英语新闻:Laos, Myanmar approve new border map

VIENTIANE, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Laos and Myanmar have approved the 12th map of the border between the two countries, which they will use as an annex to the agreement on a permanent borderline dated June 11, 1994.

According to local daily Vientiane Times on Monday, the approval took place at the 13th meeting of Lao-Myanmar Border Authorities at Central Level held in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province on Wednesday and Thursday.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sengphet Houngboungnouang led Lao delegates while the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar U Myint Thu led the Myanmar delegation at the meeting.

"The extension of the cooperation ties will not only bring economic benefit to people living along the border but will also promote the peace and prosperity of the two nations as well as of the region," said a statement from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two sides also highly valued the past year's implementation of the minutes of the 12th meeting of the Lao-Myanmar Border Authorities at Central Level.

They discussed issues relating to cooperation between border officials from the two countries, particularly the use of border papers, border passes, border trade, management and inspection of border markers, drug trafficking control, and maritime trade in the Mekong River.