From left: head of the Lao National Assembly's external relations committee Eksavang Vongvichit; head of the Vietnamese National Assembly's external relations committe Nguyen Van Giau; and head of the committee for external relations, international cooperation, information and communications of the Cambodian parliament Chheang Vun celebrate after the joint statement was signed (Photo: VNA)

The joint statement was the outcome of the two-day seventh conference of the external relations committees of thecountries’ parliaments held in Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Ninh.

According to the document, the meeting highlyvalued the three sides’ achievements in border demarcation, border markerplanting and increasing, fighting cross-border crime, and ensuring security inborder areas.

The officials highlighted the importance ofstronger coordination between the CLV’s parliaments and governments, along withactivities to enhance cooperation among their people and businesses.

The committees for external relations reiteratedthe commitment to effectively realising the joint statements adopted at theirprevious conferences, boosting ties in legislative and supervisory activities,and supervising the issues of shared concern of the countries.

They will also advance cooperation in managingwater and forest resources, adapting to and mitigating climate change, ensuringcyber security, training human resources, and regularly sharing information onthe website of the CLV Development Triangle Area.

The joint statement also strongly called on thethree governments to work more closely together and take necessary solutions toprevent cross-border trafficking of forest products and drugs.

It underscored the importance of mobilisingsupport from development partners and international financial institutions toserve economic, social and cultural development in the region, especially inimplementing the plan to connect the three economies until 2030.

The committee for external relations,international cooperation, information and communications of the Cambodianparliament will host the eighth conference in 2021, according to the statement.

The CLV Development Triangle Area groups 13provinces, comprising four Cambodian provinces (Ratanakiri, Stung Treng,Mondulkiri, Kratie), four Lao provinces (Attapeu, Salavan, Sekong, Champasak),and five Vietnamese provinces (Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, BinhPhuoc).

They cover 144,300 sq.km., or 19.3 percent ofthe three countries’ combined area. There are over 7 million people in thearea, accounting for 6.1 percent of their total population.-VNA