Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia pledge to boost solidarity in ensuring security

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) and Laos’ Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (L), Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo Dec. 17, 2023. Photo by Nhat Bac

This agreement, aiming to ensure national security and support the cause of national building and development, was reached at their working breakfast on the occasion of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo.

They applauded the flexible form of consultation among the three Prime Ministers on the occasion of attending multilateral activities, thus helping the three countries to review and find ways to remove difficulties and obstacles in cooperation in various fields.

The Lao and Cambodian leaders supported PM Chinh’s initiative on a mechanism for meetings of the three PMs to realise the results achieved at the high-level meeting of the Party chiefs of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

They agreed to maintain regular high-level meetings, contacts and exchanges on all channels, effectively carry out cooperation agreements and mechanisms, step up information sharing between ministries and sectors, strengthen connectivity of the three economies in terms of both hard and soft infrastructure, and support each other to build an independent and self-reliant economy with extensive and effective international integration.

The leaders reached consensus on strengthening security and defence cooperation; closely coordinating in protecting border security and fighting cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking; joining hands to continue building borderlines of peace, stability and development.

They also agreed to have more policies and measures to further facilitate and encourage trade and investment, with attention to border trade; open more flights connecting the three countries; and actively implement the action plan to connect the three economies to 2030.

They welcomed the Cambodian PM’s proposal of organising a tourism ministers’ meeting of the three countries in Cambodia to further promote tourism cooperation, especially the development of the “One Journey, Three Destinations” model.

They affirmed the importance of enhancing understanding and solidarity among the young generation; and agreed to promote exchanges and training of youths and young leaders to nurture the future of three-country relations.

The three PMs also discussed regional issues of common concern; and agreed to coordinate to maintain ASEAN’s solidarity, stance and centrality in regional issues.

The Lao leader affirmed that the focus of ASEAN 2024 is to strengthen connectivity and resilience of ASEAN, and took the occasion to thank Cambodia and Vietnam for their active cooperation. PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam supports and will provide maximum assistance to help Laos successfully undertake the task of the ASEAN Chairmanship next year.