(VOVworld) – The 8^th summit of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle opened in Vientiane on Tuesday in the presence of the Prime Ministers of the three countries.


In his opening speech, Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Cambodian Prime Minister Hunsen, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highlighted efforts over the last 2 years to boost comprehensive cooperation and consolidate neighborliness, which created momentum for the Triangle’s socio-economic development. Prime Minister Dung proposed upgrading and expanding the Development Triangle through a number of important measures: “To tap the region’s potential, narrow the development gap, and make the most of the opportunities that the ASEAN Community will bring about, the governments of the 3 countries should cooperate more closely and effectively. The summit provides an opportunity to review what has been done since the 7^th summit and discuss new cooperative directions to increase productivity, competitiveness, and the region’s ability to attract investment. I believe that the success of the summit will foster our comprehensive cooperation, contributing to peace, stability, development, and the prosperity of the Mekong sub-region.”

Delegates agreed with Prime Minister Dung’s proposal about upgrading and expanding the Development Triangle and assigned the Joint Coordination Committee to draft a project on economic connectivity between the 3 countries for submission at the 9^th summit. They also agreed on a number of measures to strengthen cooperation such as formulating a list of priority cooperative projects in the Development Triangle and an agreement between the three countries on special preferential policies. The 3 Prime Ministers agreed to increase cooperation in external relations, tackling human and drug trafficking, cross-border crime, natural disasters and epidemics, protecting the environment, and managing natural resources.

The 3 Prime Ministers signed a Joint Statement on cooperation in the Development Triangle. The Statement reiterated the 3 countries’ commitment to strengthening their comprehensive development on the basis of traditional friendship, unity, comprehensive cooperation, and neighborliness. They agreed to work closely together to help narrow the development gap between ASEAN members through the prompt and effective establishment of an ASEAN Community. The Statement reiterated the importance of ensuring security, safety, and a stable environment for investors and people in the Development Triangle and implementing bilateral and multilateral agreements on the movement of people and goods in the area. It also reiterated the commitment to protect the environment, and use and manage natural resources effectively for the sustainable development of each nation and the Development Triangle. Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam agreed to hold the next summit in Cambodia in 2016.