Hanoi (VNA) – The Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV) have reaffirmed their commitment to further deepening comprehensive cooperation among the threecountries and building integrated, sustainable and prosperous CLV economies, anindispensable part of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.

The three PMs signed a Joint Declaration on the CLV Development Triangle Areacooperation at the end of the 10th CLV Summit in Hanoi on March 31.

The following is the full text of the Joint Declaration.

JOINT DECLARATION OF THE 10th CAMBODIA - LAOS - VIET NAM SUMMIT ON DEVELOPMENT TRIANGLEAREA

WE, theHeads of the Governments of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Lao People’sDemocratic Republic and the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (hereinafterreferred to as CLV) gather for the Tenth CLV Summit on Development TriangleArea on 31 March 2018 in Hanoi, Viet Nam.

Appreciating that the traditional relationship offriendship, solidarity, good neighborliness and comprehensive cooperation amongthe three countries has significantly contributed to the development of eachcountry and to peace, stability and prosperity of the whole region.

Noting withsatisfaction the significantprogress made in the implementation of the revised Master Plan for theSocio-Economic Development of the CLV Development Triangle Area (DTA) for 2010 -2020 as well as cooperation activities and programs in various areas among thethree countries.

Recognizing that while CLV countries have become one ofthe fastest growing sub-regions and important achievements have been made in socio-economicdevelopment, the three countries are still facing many challenges in ensuringthat the economic growth is sustainable and inclusive, in addressing theadverse impacts of climate change and narrowing the development gap withinASEAN Member States.

Understanding that to maintain the growth momentum, CLV countriesmust be steadfast in their regional integration, economic restructuring and improvingbusiness environments; it’s also imperative for CLV countries to capitalize onopportunities presented by the 4th industrial revolution.

Underlining the need for better connectivity among CLV economiesto enhance economic competitiveness, effectively engage in the regional and globalvalue chains and jointly address challenges.

WE HEREBY DECLARE THAT:

1. We reaffirmour commitment to further deepening comprehensive cooperation among the threecountries and building integrated, sustainable and prosperous CLV economies, anindispensable part of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, through collectiveefforts and appropriate national policies.To fulfill this vision, we continueto attach great importance to the development of border provinces in the CLVDTA and narrowing the development gap within ASEAN Member States.

2. We commendthe efforts of the CLV Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) in the implementationof the Revised Master Plan for the Socio-Economic Development of the CLV DTAfor 2010 - 2020 as well as other guidance and decisions made at the 9th CLV Summit. These efforts have led to positive changes in people’s livingstandardsand level of the development inthe CLV DTA. We also welcome theoutcomes of the 11th CLV JCC held from 17-19 December 2017 in BinhPhuoc, Viet Nam and the Working Group meeting on discussions on the draftAction Plan for Cambodia - Laos- Viet Nam EconomicConnectivity up to 2030 held from 27-28 January 2018 in Kratie, Cambodia.

3. To deepeneconomic integration, enhance competitiveness and maintain the growth momentum ofCLV economies,we therefore, endorse the Action Plan for Cambodia - Laos - VietNam Economic Connectivity up to 2030 to serve as a guiding document for CLVcooperation, including but not limited to institutional, infrastructure andeconomic, and people-to-people connectivity.

3.1. Institutional connectivity comprises of increased policy communications andexchanges of information; coordination in developing and implementing the macropolicies; simplifying procedures to promote investment, trade,tourism, agriculture, transport, human resource training/development andmanagement, creatinga favorable environment for citizens and businesses ofthe three countries to cooperate for mutualbenefit.

3.2. Infrastructure and economic connectivity focuses interalia on upgrading, modernizing and ensuring convenient and smooth connectivity in all kinds of transportation,information and communications technology (ICT), energy, trade, finance andbanking, agriculture,and tourism; cooperation inaddressing climate change, environmental protection and natural resource conversation,particularly forest and Mekong river’s water and related resources; clearanceof landmines and unexploded ordnance.

3.3. People-to-people connectivity include connectivity in thefields ofeducation, health, culture, sports, tourism, entrepreneurship, charityactivities, human resource training/development and management; enhancingpeople exchange.
To implement this Action Plan, we task the JCCto develop specific plans and projects and annually review and update theAction Plan, reflecting the actual situations and needs of CLV Countries.

4. We fullysupport exchanges, dialogues and collaboration among parliaments, and governmentagencies as well as activities to promote cooperation between people andbusinesses of the three countries. We congratulate the outcomes of the SixthConference of Foreign Affairs Committees of the CLV National Assemblies on “StrengtheningParliamentary Oversights on Cooperation Initiatives in Cambodia - Laos-Viet NamDevelopment Triangle Area” held from 02-03 August 2017 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. Weagree to strengthen communication on the economic development achievements ofthe CLV countries to promote understanding of the people and businesses of thethree countries about the role and importance of the CLV DTA.

5. Wereaffirm the importance of ensuring security, safety and stable environment forinvestors, businesses and people in the CLV DTA. We further strengthen ourcooperation in preventing and combating cross-border crimes, illegal trade,including logging, drug and human trafficking, and terrorism; continue theclearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and explosive remnant of war in the CLVDTA. We stress the need for line agencies of CLV countries to jointly organizecapacity building and information sharing programs. We also instruct that the“hotline” for emergency be improved, especially at the local level.

6. We committo work together to promote trade and investment in the CLV DTA in accordancewith the Agreement on Trade Promotion and Facilitation in the CLV DTA and theAgreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investment. We task the JCC tocoordinate with other agencies to prepare the Action Plan for the implementationof these Agreements.

7. Wenote the progress of the work on the “Study Report on Development Plan of theCambodia - Laos - Viet Nam Rubber Industry” by the Ministry of Agriculture Forestryand Fisheries of Cambodia, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Lao PDR,and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam. We urge the threeministries to complete the Study Report and submit it to the 11th CLVSummit for consideration.

8. We reaffirm theimportance of education collaboration among CLV countries. We ask to further improve communication andenhance commitment by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport of Cambodia,the Ministry of Education and Sport of Lao PDR and the Ministry of Educationand Training of Viet Nam to exchange students, teachers and faculty memberswithin the Development Triangle Area.

9. We emphasizethe potential of sustainable tourism development in the CLV DTA and encouragethe facilitation of travel as well as the promotion of “Three Countries OneDestination”. We instruct the ministers responsible for tourism to finalize theCLV DTA Tourism Development Plan for submission to the 11th CLVSummit for adoption.

10. Wereaffirm our commitment to strengthen cooperation in combating infectiousdiseases, in particular in the border areas of the three countries through trainingand/or exchange of information, knowledge and experience in control andprevention of diseases, especially in the situation of outbreak.

11. Wereaffirm our commitment to environmental protection, sustainable and efficientmanagement and proper utilization of natural resources, including waterresources, wildlife and forests. We encourage government agencies and otherstakeholders to continue incorporating issues of sustainable development andenvironmental protection into cooperation programs among CLV countries. We encouragegreater communication among three countries through early warning andinformation sharing systems on floods, droughts, natural disasters andcross-border pollution.

12. Weexpress our appreciation to the development partners and internationalfinancial institutions for their contribution to the development of the CLV DTA.We encouragethe JCC to closely cooperate with development partners andinternational financial institutions in developing and undertaking program,projects to support the implementation of the Action Plan for Cambodia - Laos -Viet Nam Economic Connectivity up to 2030.

13. Weemphasize the importance of CLV DTA information portal in providing  businesses and investors with accurate andupdated information onthe potential, and preferential policies given to the CLVDTA, and urge the JCC to regularly update information on the CLV DTA website.

14. We express our appreciation to Lao PDR for agreeing to host the 11th CLV Summit in 2020.

Done in Hanoi, the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam,in three copies in English language, on the Day of Thirty-One in the Month ofMarch in the Year of Two Thousand and Eighteen.-VNA