Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc outlined three priority areas for future cooperation among the four regional countries namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) at the 10th CLMV Summit held virtually on December 9. 

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses the 10th CLMV Summit. (Photo: VGP).

It is imperative for the four countries to develop a comprehensive and specific implementation plan to achieve the goals set out in the CLMV Development Framework adopted at the summit, said Phuc.

He called for strengthening policy connectivity to effectively support ASEAN’s regional integration process, and bring into full play the advantages of cooperation. According to the Vietnamese PM, efforts should be focused on facilitating the circulation of goods and services as well as and the movement of people among the four countries.

The four countries he said should work closely to resolve difficulties in implementing agreements, iron out business snags, and carry out trade, investment and tourism promotions. The countries should assist businesses to connect with each other and make full use of free trade agreements, while coordinating in developing joint projects, lobbying for international aid, and building a reference framework for vocational education quality assurance standards.

Last but not least, he called for strengthening connectivity, enhancing production capacity of farm produce processing and export industries, and forming regional agricultural production and supply chains.

According to Phuc, only solidarity and cooperation can help the four CLMV countries overcome difficulties and build a dynamic, prosperous and sustainable CLMV region.

At the summit, leaders of the four countries affirmed their commitment to deepening the traditional friendship, friendly neighbourliness and mutually beneficial cooperation among the four countries. They vowed to boost cooperation to promote economic potential of the member countries, narrow the regional development gap, and contribute to the ASEAN Community building process.

The leaders adopted the CLMV Development Framework, a document aimed at building the CLMV region into an international business center. They also agreed to strengthen connectivity in many aspects for sustainable and inclusive development of the CLMV region.

The PMs approved a list of 16 priority projects for cooperation in the near future. They agreed that Myanmar will play host to the 11th CLMV summit next year.