Vietnam continues consultation with Laos, Cambodia after Cambodia exits development triangle

“Over the past 25 years, the regional cooperation in the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area has been important and vital in bolstering the traditional relationship, as well as economic and trade cooperation in people’s exchange among the three countries, thereby contributing to narrowing the development gap and improving the living standards of the people in border areas and in the three countries,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Pham Thu Hang said.

Hang emphasized the close and friendly ties between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia as a “treasure” for all three nations. She added that the development triangle is one of several cooperation mechanisms between the countries, each offering distinct contributions to their relations and growth.

“Vietnam has been and will continue to engage in consultation with Laos and Cambodia to continue to bolster cooperation among the three countries in an in-depth, substantiative and effective manner, in line with the demands of development in this new phase, for the interest of people in all three countries, for the ASEAN community, and for peace, stability and cooperation in the region.”

The Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area is a cooperative initiative in the border region of the three countries. The idea was first proposed by then Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in 1999.

Cambodian leaders announced on Sept. 20 that the country would leave the mechanism, citing changes in its diplomatic and development strategies.