(VOVWORLD) -Vietnam supports Cambodia's development efforts and respects its implementation of the Funan Techo canal project, said Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet when he was asked to comment on Cambodia's recent official commencement of the canal project.
 Funan Techo canal construction has begun. Photo: Van Do-Tuan Anh/VOV-Phnom Penh
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Viet told the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held on Thursday in Hanoi that “The Mekong River is a priceless asset and a connection point of special solidarity and friendship between the three countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Vietnam hopes that riparian countries, including Cambodia, will cooperate to effectively and sustainably manage and develop the Mekong River water resources for the benefit of the people in the river basin as well as for the future of next generations and the solidarity between riparian nations."
"In that spirit, Vietnam supports Cambodia’s development efforts and its implementation of the Funan Techo canal project. We also wish to work together to conduct a comprehensive study and assessment of the project’s impacts and take appropriate measures to minimize the impacts."
On Monday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet started construction on the Funan Techo canal project worth 1.7 billion USD to create a new waterway connecting the Mekong River to the sea.