CLV DTA Cooperation: Continues to spread and develops extensively

TIN LIÊN QUAN
	GMS-6 and CLV-10: Economic connectivity for sustainable development
	To continue building a prosperous GMS and CLV

The Development Triangle Area of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV DTA) was established in 1999 by the Prime Ministers of the three countries, including 10 provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Dak Nong (Vietnam); Sekong, Attapeu, Saravan (Laos); and Stung Treng, Rattanak Kiri, Mondul Kiri (Cambodia). In 2009, the three countries agreed to add three provinces of Binh Phuoc (Vietnam), Kratie (Cambodia) and Champasak (Laos) to the CLV DTA.

Tangible and efficient cooperation  

Provinces of the CLV DTA are located on the plateau and border  area of the three countries; which share many similarities in terms of natural, economic and social conditions. These provinces enjoy the common border and many pairs of border gates which facilitate the cooperation potential.

PMs of Viẹtnam, Laos and Cambodia at the CLV Joint Statement signing ceremony

Accordingly, the establishment of the CLV is to strengthen the solidarity and cooperation among the three countries in order to ensure security, political stability, and poverty reduction and socio-economic development in the region. CLV DTA cooperation focuses on security – external affairs, transportation, industry, agriculture, trade and investment, social areas and environmental protection.

Not only expanding geographically, CLV DTA also continuously adopted new collaboration mechanisms during  their Summits to promote further and deep cooperation. 

During the 2nd Summit in 2003 in Ho Chi Minh City, the three countries have prioritized cooperation in the areas of transportation, commerce, electricity power, tourism, human resources, education and public health. At the 3rd Summit in Siem Reap (Cambodia) in 2004, the countries affirmed the important role of the CLV Triangle and agreed to coordinate in transport infrastructure development projects. On the occasion of the 10th ASEAN Summit, 28 November 2004, the three Prime Ministers have signed the Vientiane Declaration and the Master Plan of the Development Triangle. 

In 2006, the 4th Summit in Da Lat agreed to create a favorable business environment for investors to increase coordination in mobilizing external resources. The 5th Summit (2008) in Vientiane marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on building special preferential policies for the CLV DTA to promote regional development cooperation and attract external investment.

In 2010, the 6th CLV summit in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) adopted the Master Plan on Socio-Economic Development in the Development Triangle until 2020, replacing the Master Plan of 2004. The Prime Ministers signed the Summit’s Joint Statement and witnessed the signing of revisions to the MOU on Preferential Policies for the Development Triangle Area.

The 7th Summit held in Vientiane in 2013 confirmed the commitment to developing the DTA as a model of regional cooperation among the three countries. They also agreed to promote resource mobilization, specifically for transport infrastructure and energy development.

In 2014, the 8th Summit in Vientiane supported Vietnam’s proposal to expand the scope of the DTA cooperation by strengthening the connection of the three economies (not only limited to 13 provinces of the DTA) in areas such as transport, telecommunications, electricity power, tourism and banking.

The 9th CLV Summit (November, 2016) focused on reviewing the implementation of the 8th CLV Summit and discussed on the direction of  future cooperation in economic connectivity, the development of rubber industry, tourism and environmental cooperation. The meeting also assigned the CLV Joint Coordination Committee to finalize the “Action plan on CLV economic connectivity up to 2030” in 2017.

To promote further the DTA cooperation mechanism, in addition to the high-level meetings, the CLV countries agreed to set up a CLV Joint Coordination Committee with four subcommittees: Economics, Environment – Society, Security – Foreign Relations and Locality. Each country shall appoint a Minister to act as Co-Chairman of the Joint Coordination Committee and members of the committee should be composed of representatives from relevant ministries, agencies and the provinces of the CLV. The Vietnamese Minister of Planning and Investment (MPI) acts as Co-Chair of the Joint Coordination Committee.

Assessing of the cooperative mechanism of the CLV DTA, at the recent international press conference on the 6th GMS Summit and the 10th CLV Summit, Deputy Foreign Minister, Dang Dinh Quy said that many important minutes were issued within the framework of the CLV. Cooperation of the CLV DTA has achieved many concrete results such as infrastructure connection and increased investment between the parties. “Initially it was just ideas, but it gradually developed into strategies, and then to specific plans and projects,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy.

With the determination of the CLV leaders, the DTA cooperating is thriving and is recognized as a successful, effective and tangible cooperation. 

Leading role of Vietnam

As a constituent part, Vietnam has always been active, proactively contributed to the development of cooperation in the CLV mechanism, especially the expansion of the cooperation framework of DTA. Vietnam is also working with Laos and Cambodia to develop the Master Plan of socio – economic development  of the DTA for the period of 2010-2020.

In addition, as a prominent economy in the region, Vietnam is playing an active leading role based on the spirit of equal cooperation and respect to the friendship and traditions between peoples of the three countries.

Vietnam is also one of the biggest investors in Laos and Cambodia with a number of projects in the fields of agriculture, mining, rubber plantation... According to the Foreign Investment Authority under the Ministry of Planning  and Investment, Vietnam currently has 113 investment projects in Laos and Cambodia, with total investment capital of about 3.6 billion USD. Specifically, Vietnam has 65 projects in Laos (worth 2 billion USD) and 48 projects in Cambodia (worth 1.6 billion USD).

The 6th GMS Summit and the 10th CLV Summit chaired by Vietnam will take place in Hanoi from March 29-31. This is one of the biggest multilateral events held in Vietnam in 2018. It is expected more than 2,000 delegates, 200 corporations, enterprises, international organizations, development partners, media agencies to attend the Summits.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc evaluated that the successful organization of the GMS-6 and CLV-10 will contribute to enhancing Vietnam’s political prestige, position and role in international arena, proceeding the success of APEC Year 2017. Besides, it continues to affirm Vietnam’s role as an active and responsible member in the Mekong Subregion Cooperation in general, GMS and CLV DTA in particular.

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