Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met bilaterally with his Lao and Cambodian counterparts on April 4 on the sidelines of the third Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Siem Reap, Cambodia. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith

PM Phuc thanked PM Thongloun Sisoulith and Lao delegation for contributing to the success of the sixth Greater Mekong Sub-region Summit (GMS 6) and the tenth Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam Development Triangle Summit (CLV 10) held in Hanoi last week. 

He suggested that in accordance with the high-level agreement between the two Politburos, the two countries will work closely together at all levels, at bilateral and multilateral mechanisms to promote the effective and sustainable use and management of Mekong River water resources, harmoniously ensuring interests of nations along the river for the sustainable development of the two countries and the region. 

Phuc asked the Lao PM to facilitate Vietnamese investment in Laos, direct the implementation of the bilateral labour cooperation agreement, speed up the simplification of administrative procedures, reduce fees of labour permits, visas and residence cards for Vietnamese workers in the country. 

He wished that the Lao government would offer optimal support to Vietnamese to acquire Lao citizenship and establish the Association of Overseas Vietnamese in several Lao provinces. 

Both sides agreed to actively realise agreements reached during leaders’ visits and the outcomes of the 40th meeting of the Vietnam – Laos Inter-Governmental Committee, improve the efficiency of bilateral cooperation in 2018 and accelerate the implementation of the Vietnam – Laos cooperation agreement for 2016-2020. 

They vowed to uphold the success of the Vietnam – Laos Year of Friendship and Solidarity 2017, and actively educate the two countries’ young generations about Vietnam – Laos special solidarity. 

On the occasion of the upcoming Lao traditional New Year festival Bun Pi May, the Vietnamese PM conveyed New Year wishes to Lao leaders and wished that Lao would keep thriving.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (left) meets with his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techno Hun Sen on the sidelines of the third Mekong River Commission Summit in Siam Reap on April 4. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techno Hun Sen on the sidelines of the third Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on April 4.

Welcoming PM Phuc and his entourage to Cambodia for the third MRC Summit, Cambodia PM Hun Sen said he believes the participation of the Vietnamese delegation will contribute to the event’s success.

The PM Phuc, for his part, expressed his delight to visit Cambodia when Chol Chnam Thmay, the New Year festival of Cambodia, is approaching. He said Cambodia’s hosting of the MRC Summit and the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting in January has contributed to raise the country’s role and position in the region.

He reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy in relations with Cambodia, saying Vietnam wants to continue stepping up friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Cambodia.

The two leaders said they are pleased with the strong development of the two countries’ relations in recent years and showed their determination to deepen bilateral ties and bring their partnership to a new height.

They highly appreciated the two countries’ signing a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and the minutes of the meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on Land Border Demarcation and Marker Planting on the sidelines of the sixth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS-6) and the 10th Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Summit (CLV-10) which took place in Hanoi last week.

They agreed to maintain the exchange of high-level visits and coordinate in organising the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural and Scientific-Technological Cooperation in Hanoi on May 16-18.

The two PMs exchanged views on issues of mutual concern, including border issues and Vietnamese people in Cambodia. 

They consented to work together to settle issues related to the legal status of Vietnamese people in Cambodia on the basis of Cambodian law.

PM Phuc is in Cambodia for the third MRC Summit. He is scheduled to attend the opening session of the summit and meet with overseas Vietnamese people in Cambodia to extend his Chol Chnam Thmay greetings on April 5.

This year’s MRC Summit, themed “Joint Efforts and Partnership towards Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the Mekong”, will create an opportunity for countries to review the operation of the MRC over the past four years and work to realise sustainable development goals. 

The first event of its kind opened in Hua Hin, Thailand in 2010 and the second one took place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam in 2014.

VNA