Vientiane (VNA) – The Committees forForeign Affairs of the National Assemblies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV)have pledged to strengthen coordination to increase the role of thelegislatures in implementing agreements and development initiatives signed bythe three countries’ governments based on the trilateral traditional friendshipand cooperation.

The trio signed a joint declaration in the fieldat their sixth meeting which wrapped up in Vientiane, Laos, on August 3.

During the two-day event, delegates discussedpolicies and laws relating to illegal travelling, migration, and marriage ofcitizens in the CLV Development Triangle Area, as well as measures to promotepeace, security and development in the region.

They exchanged their views on stepping up coordination to prevent drug andhuman trafficking, cross-border crimes and terrorism, and scrutinise explosivesleft over from war in the CLV Development Triangle.

Participants also talked about the sustainableuse, management and protection of water resources and natural resources in theMekong River, along with measures to cope with climate change and ensureeffective water and geological management in each nation.

They welcomed the joint declaration whichincludes several contents of the eighth Summit of the CLV Development TriangleArea held in Vientiane, Laos, in 2014, and the ninth Summit of the CLVDevelopment Triangle Area in Seam Reap, Cambodia, in 2016, and other meetingsbetween the three countries.

The three sides recognised the efforts of thejoint coordination committee in building an action plan for 2030 connecting thethree economies and a development scheme for the rubber industry in 2020, alongwith an agreement to promote and facilitate trade in the CLV DevelopmentTriangle Area.

They supported the committee to establish a taskforceto build a joint tourism development plan and study the expansion ofcooperation in the CLV Development Triangle Area as well as define prioritisingsocio-economic development projects to promote trade with development partners,and financial institutions.

They expressed their support for the adoption ofprojects on infrastructure development to facilitate trade, investment, tourismand transport of goods and exchanges among CLV people.

They suggestedintensifying cooperation in infrastructure development, trade, investment,tourism, education and culture, and in combating smuggling, addictives, andvarious kinds of crimes to ensure border order and security.

The tri♒o also urged to increase theresponsibility𓂃 of authorities at all levels and develop human resources toboost people-to-people exchanges.

The seventhmeeting of the CLV National Assemblies’ Committees for Foreign Affairs will takeplace in Vietnam in 2019.-VNA