Tokyo (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Lao andCambodian counterparts Sonexay Siphandone and Hun Manet on December 17 agreed tocontinue enhancing the three countries’ solidarity in ensuring national securityand in the cause of national building and development at their workingbreakfast on the occasion of the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year ofASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in Tokyo.

They applauded the flexible form of consultation among the three Prime Ministers on the occasion of attending multilateral activities,thus helping the three countries to review and find ways to remove difficulties andobstacles in cooperation in various fields. The PMs also discussed the establishment of a mechanism for meetings of the three PMs to realisethe results achieved at the high-level meeting of the Party chiefs of Cambodia,Laos and Vietnam. 
         
They agreed to maintain regular high-level meetings, contacts andexchanges on all channels, effectively carry out cooperation agreements and mechanisms,step up information sharing between ministries and sectors, strengthen connectivityof the three economies in terms of both hard and soft infrastructure, andsupport each other to build an independent and self-reliant economy withextensive and effective international integration.

The leaders reached consensus on strengthening security anddefence cooperation; closely coordinating in protecting border security and fighting cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, andhuman trafficking; joining hands to continue building borderlines of peace,stability and development. They also agreed to have more policies and measuresto further facilitate and encourage trade and investment, with attention to bordertrade;open more flights connecting the three countries; and actively implement the action plan to connect the threeeconomies to 2030.

They welcomed the Cambodian PM's proposal of organising a tourism ministers'meeting of the three countries in Cambodia to further promote tourismcooperation, especially the development of the “One Journey, Three Destinations” model.

They affirmed the importance of enhancing understanding and solidarityamong the young generation; and agreed to promote exchanges and training ofyouths and young leaders to nurture the future of three-country relations.

The three PMs also discussed regional issues of commonconcern; and agreed to coordinate to maintain ASEAN’s solidarity, stance andcentrality in regional issues. The Lao leader affirmed that the focus of ASEAN2024 is to strengthen connectivity and resilience of ASEAN, and took the occasionto thank Cambodia and Vietnam for their active cooperation. PM Chinh affirmedthat Vietnam supports and will provide maximum assistance to help Laossuccessfully undertake the task of the ASEAN Chairmanship next year./.