Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia boost economic connectivity

The view was shared by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen during their working breakfast in Vientiane on April 5 on the sidelines of the fourth Mekong River Commission summit.

The Prime Ministers agreed to facilitate investment and business cooperation, bring into full play the land border gate system, and promote border trade exchanges between the three countries, while sharing experiences in law-making, effective management and use of official development aid (ODA).

They held that maintaining regular high-level contacts and exchanges on all channels, including meetings between the three Prime Ministers, has helped constantly consolidate solidarity, friendship and cooperation between the three countries.

However, amid global complicated and unpredictable developments along with the profound impacts of digital technology and social networks, the three countries need to increase cooperation and exchange experiences in information technology, they stressed.

The Prime Ministers affirmed that the three countries will continue to closely coordinate in addressing regional and international issues of mutual concern, contributing to maintaining and consolidating solidarity, unity and the central role of ASEAN.

They agreed to incorporate sub-regional cooperation into the process of building the ASEAN Community, for the sake of equitable and sustainable development, narrowing the development gap and promoting ASEAN connectivity.

The Prime Ministers voiced their strong support for the organization of the first tripartite summit between the top leaders of the three legislatures in Laos and the 12th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Summit in Cambodia this year.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Hun Sen reaffirmed their support for Laos to successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair 2024.