Prime Minister Hun Manet (centre) holds talks with his Lao and Vietnamese counterparts Sonexay Siphandone (left) and Pham Minh Chinh in the Japanese capital Tokyo on December 17. STPM
The leaders of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV) have agreed to continue joint tripartite exercises and maintain their collaborative efforts to combat transnational crimes of all kinds, while also agreeing to address challenges and ensure peace, stability and security.
The agreement came as the three CLV prime ministers met on the sidelines of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, held on December 15-19 in Tokyo, Japan.
In a social media post, Prime Minister Hun Manet said the leaders of the CLV are committed to fostering cooperation in all sectors and urge the implementation of the “Three Countries One Destination Package”.
He added that the three leaders had spoken highly of their tripartite meetings, which contribute to maintaining traditional friendships. They will also continue to enhance cooperation in all sectors and at all levels, including in energy, connectivity, trade, investment and tourism.
“In areas of defence and security, the three of us agreed to continue to hold joint tripartite exercises and joint efforts to combat transnational crimes of all kinds, and to address challenges to ensure peace, stability and security. All of these are crucial foundations for fostering economic growth and developing the CLV,” he added.
Kin Phea, director of the International Relations Institute at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said on December 17 that it is good for the CLV leaders to hold regular talks on collaborative frameworks. The three leaders’ commitment to ensuring peace, stability and security along their shared borders in the fight against transnational crime, drugs and human trafficking is crucial.
“Security issues like transnational crimes or drug or human trafficking require close cooperation between the CLV. I think it is excellent,” he added.
He believes that if Cambodia can preserve peace and stability, and eliminate crimes like drug and human trafficking effectively, it will be conducive to close cooperation for border development, including people-to-people exchanges, investment and trade exchanges between the CLV.
“As good neighbours, the CLV parties must cooperate and respect one another, especially regarding internal affairs, sovereignty and territorial integrity. In my opinion, it is the most important of the principles of peaceful coexistence of the CLV,” he said.
