VIENTIANE: Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia pledged to strengthen border-area development, trade and tourism to improve people’s livelihoods, when their three prime ministers met for talks in Phnom Penh last Friday (Feb 6).
The meeting was co-chaired by Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone; Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh; and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Samdech Hun Manet.
It followed on from the 4th Summit of the Leaders of the Three Political Parties —the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Cambodian People’s Party—which serves as a key cooperation mechanism underpinning the long-standing friendship, solidarity and mutual assistance among the three Indochinese nations.
The three prime ministers expressed satisfaction with the continued expansion of comprehensive cooperation between the three countries, particularly in politics, and national defence and security, reflecting a high level of mutual trust and confidence.
To translate political consensus into tangible outcomes, the leaders agreed to instruct the relevant sectors to effectively implement the decisions made at the Party Leaders’ Summit.
Priority areas include accelerating the construction of road and rail links, and energy cooperation and economic integration, with an emphasis on upgrading transport routes and logistics systems to create stronger economic links.
A main objective is to foster trade, investment and tourism in border provinces, where enhanced connectivity and favourable policies are expected to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and improve living standards for people in the three countries.
The three premiers agreed to maintain close coordination and regular information exchanges, while instilling in the younger generation the need to preserve and promote the tradition of solidarity among the three parties and nations.
They reaffirmed their commitment to mutual support within regional and international frameworks, contributing to regional stability and advancing shared interests on the global stage.
Prime Minister Sonexay briefed his counterparts on the positive and growing bilateral relations between Laos and Vietnam, as well as between Laos and Cambodia.
He expressed his pleasure at meeting his Vietnamese and Cambodian counterparts and thanked Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet for hosting the meeting in Phnom Penh.
He invited the two prime ministers to attend the 5th Trilateral Summit, which Laos will host in 2027. - Vientiane Times/ANN
