Vietnam wants to coordinate with Cambodia to study impacts of Funan Techo project

At a press briefing in Hanoi, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet described the Mekong River as an invaluable asset and a connection point of the special solidarity and friendship among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

He highlighted that Vietnam wishes countries along the river, including Cambodia, to work together to manage and develop the water resources effectively and sustainably for the benefit of the community and future generations and solidarity among the nations.

In this spirit, Vietnam supports Cambodia’s development efforts and respects the country’s implementation of the canal project, he said, stressing the Vietnamese government expects to cooperate with Cambodia in the field to pen suitable measures to reduce the project’s impacts.

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet on Monday launched the US$1.7 billion canal project that aims to provide a new link from the Mekong River to the sea.

The Funan Techo canal will run from the Mekong River, about an hour’s drive southeast of Phnom Penh, to the sea in the Gulf of Thailand.

The Cambodian government says the canal will offer an alternative to transit via Vietnam and will reduce dependence on Vietnamese ports, generating economic activity worth 21-30% more than its cost.