The defence and security committees of the parliaments of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV) have agreed to enhance cooperation to build the shared borders of peace and friendship.

Representatives of the defence and security committees of the parliaments
of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam sign the minutes of the meeting in Phnom Penh
on August 27 (Photo: VNA) 

The consensus was part of the minutes of the fourth meeting of the Commission on Interior, National Defence and Civil Service of the Cambodian National Assembly (NA), the Defence and Security Committee of the Lao NA and the Defence and Security Committee of the Vietnamese NA, which was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on August 27.

 Under the deal, they affirmed their support for the joint declaration of the 27th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Siem Reap, Cambodia, in January this year. They stressed that building trust among countries in Asia-Pacific is a basic condition for peace, security and sustainable development, aside from the necessity of fighting terrorism and trans-national crimes in the region and reinforcing cooperation to promote the responsible use of cyber space for social progress.

 The committees also voiced their support for the joint statement of the CLV Summit on Development Triangle Area held on March 31, 2018, so as to develop capacity and share information together.

 The three neighbouring countries highlighted the importance of ensuring security and safety and developing a sustainable environment in their border areas. They also underlined the need to bolster connectivity, competitiveness and economic development in the countries as part of regional and global supply chains.

 The three committees welcomed the continuous and active efforts by the CLV governments in border demarcation and border marker planting based on the agreements that have taken effect. They also supported the early completion of legal documents recognising the border demarcation and border marker planting progress that the countries have attained.

 According to the minutes, the countries will further enhance cooperation in parliamentary supervision and integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into socio-economic development plans of their border provinces. Cooperation among the ministries of interior and national defence of Cambodia, the ministries of public security and national defence of Laos, and the ministries of public security and national defence of Vietnam, as well as among administrations in border areas, will be strengthened to actively resolve issues emerging so as to build border areas of peace, stability and prosperity.

 Relevant agencies of the three countries will step up using emergency hotlines, especially at grassroots levels, to prevent and combat terrorism and trans-national crimes. They will work more closely to monitor the compliance with the principle of non-intervention in one another’s internal affairs by not allowing any forces to use their respective countries’ territories to threaten others’ security. 

 They will also work to improve the Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese peoples’ awareness of the importance of border demarcation, border marker planting, and the fight against illegal migration and human trafficking in border areas.

 Additionally, the three committees will promote government agencies’ cooperation in protecting the environment, sustainably and effectively managing natural resources, and sharing information, knowledge and experience in epidemic control and prevention.

 They agreed to regularly exchange information about cross-border flood, drought, natural disasters and pollution.

 The committees will also continue coordinating closely with and supporting one another at regional and international forums so as to maintain security, stability and stability in the region.

 The fourth meeting in Phnom Penh was chaired by Acting President of the Cambodian NA Nguon Nhel. Chairman of the Vietnamese NA’s Defence and Security Committee Vo Trong Viet and his Lao counterpart Khamsouk Viinthavong respectively led the Vietnamese and Lao delegations.

 The next meeting will be hosted by the Lao committee in 2021.