A pair of maps which outline the area covered by the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) initiative, as well as the transportation infrastructure within the area. Commerce ministry
The Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) initiative was launched 25 years ago in 1999. The purpose of the agreement was to benefit the economies, infrastructure, healthcare, education and security of the areas within the triangle, as well as support disaster management.
The area of cooperation includes Ratanakkiri, Stung Treng, Kratie and Mondulkiri provinces of Cambodia and Attapeu, Salavan, Sekong and Champasak in Laos, as well as Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc in Vietnam.
Senate president Hun Sen, who was involved in the process of devising the CLV-DTA initiative during his time as prime minister, issued a video on Tuesday which explained the cooperation at length.
He said the three countries control the sovereignty of their respective territories without violating one another and that the agreement is not about incorporating new territories.
Through this cooperation, in early December 2023, the parliaments of the three countries convened their inaugural meeting in Vientiane, Laos. In March, Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul led a delegation to the 13th meeting of the CLV-DTA Joint Coordinating Committee at the ministerial level, in Attapeu province, Laos.
During the March meeting, the committee finalised the “Master Plan for Socio-Economic Development of the CLV-DTA 2030”. The plan will be submitted for review and approval at the 12th CLV-DTA Summit, which is scheduled to be held in Cambodia at the end of 2024.
CLV-DTA hits the headlines
Although the agreement is 25 years old, it has not received much attention or interest from the public until recent days. The details of the cooperation were not widely shared by the government, according to analysts.
For the past week, there have been passionate discussions about the subject on social media, with some individuals expressing concerns about a possible loss of territory, and even suggesting that four provinces – Ratanakkiri, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng and Kratie – will be ceded to Vietnam. This was immediately refuted by government spokesmen.
Kin Phea, president of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, believed that the recent eruption of social media debate appeared to be driven by an agenda, possibly to divert attention away from the upcoming groundbreaking of the Funan Techo Canal, which is planned for August 5.
He was of the view that the issue has exploded because unnamed actors were attempting to manipulate public feeling, particularly through the emotional subject of Cambodian nationalism, and public sentiment surrounding territory, borders and natural resources, all of which are sensitive topics.
“There is nothing wrong with people displaying their emotions. What is wrong is that some people spread disinformation. Distorting the truth causes confusion among the public, and must be avoided,” he said.
“I want to emphasise that caring about our nation, our territory, our cultural heritage or our natural resources is never wrong. The problem is when people take action based on misinformation that could lead to danger for the Kingdom,” he added.
Pa Chanroeun, president of the Cambodian Institute for Democracy, noted that the airing of public concerns presented an opportunity for the government to see another point of view, as development projects always have their supporters and detractors.
He suggested that to clear up any misunderstandings or misinterpretations, the government should respond with clear information, so that people can be informed participants in any discussions.
Chanroeun said that he has recently observed several cases where state institutions have issued public statements that clarified misinformation which has been circulating in the community.
Political analyst Lao Mong Hay simply said that the public should not pay attention to baseless allegations.
Transparency and long-term planning
Phea believed that such is people’s passion and sensitivity surrounding the topic, assuaging the public’s fear that some of the Kingdom’s territory may be ceded may require a long-term strategy.
The government should explain the importance, potential and procedures relating to the CLV-DTA to the public, he suggested, adding that the explanation offered by Hun Sen on Tuesday offered a brief explanation, but more education was required to ensure the public has a deeper understanding of the initiative.
“First of all, the government must disclose information that clearly explains the potential benefits of the cooperation, as well as any potential impacts,” he said.
In addition, he would like to see more transport infrastructure built by the government, so people can visit the development area. He also believed that any development projects should benefit the local population, without affecting the well-being of any indigenous people.
He added that people do not want to see development in this area in the form of long-term economic land concessions for foreign investors.
Phea also highlighted the need for transparency when it comes to any issues surrounding the Kingdom’s borders.
“Thailand and Vietnam allow students to visit their border areas,” he said.
Chanroeun agreed, noting that to allay public suspicions, the government should organise a campaign that allows journalists, youth, students, activists and other citizens to travel to the area covered by the CLV-DTA and report back frequently, so the public will be as aware of what is happening there as the citizens of Vietnam and Laos are.
He believed that if people can go there in person, they will be living witnesses and this will support the government’s statements about what is and isn’t happening there.
“The authorities in the four provinces should allow our people to visit those areas. There are many enthusiastic campers and hikers who love to explore the mountains and discover scenic sites. The authorities could assign village guards to provide security to them. I think this would be an excellent mechanism for people to get to know the CLV area,” he said.
Sok Touch, president of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, who has studied border issues extensively and conducted research on the area, declined to comment, saying he will host a forum on the CLV-DTA on August 2.
