Thailand
Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam parliaments vow development push
Enhancing parliamentary oversight of cooperation for the triangle development area was discussed by representatives of the National Assemblies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV) in Vientiane this week.
The sixth meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Assemblies of the three countries is being held in the capital during August 1-4.
In his opening remarks at the meeting yesterday, the Lao National Assembly Vice President, Lieutenant General Sengnouan Xayalath, highlighted satisfactory achievements in joint development, such as creation of infrastructure for connectivity, cooperation among local authorities for environment protection, management of the use of natural resources, prevention of human trafficking, combating crimes, and UXO clearance in the triangle area.
He pointed to the success in negotiations for an agreement on promoting and facilitating trade and the approval of 15 projects for infrastructure development in the area as an outstanding achievement to facilitate trade, investment, tourism and visits between the three countries.
He also noted the joint obligations and responsibilities that legislative bodies, especially the Foreign Affairs Committees, have in overseeing the implementation of programmes and cooperation projects in the triangle area to identify successes and shortcomings.
The Vietnamese National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman, Mr Nguyen Van Giau, highlighted the tourism potential, especially for community-based ecotourism and cultural tourism, which he said should be promoted.
Mr Giau said the National Assembly of Vietnam wanted the governments of the three countries to sign the Action Plan Towards 2030 on Connectivity of Three Economic Bases very soon.
The Foreign Affairs Committees praised the CLV governments for having approved the determination of the triangle area and its targets for socio-economic development and poverty reduction and the implementation of cooperation mechanisms.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Cambodian National Assembly’s Commission on Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation, Information and Media, Mr Chheang Vun, said the Cambodian National Assembly praised the three governments for paying attention to the development of the triangle area by using all the potential to maintain peace, stability and development in the lower Mekong basin.
He noted the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Committees was a milestone for deepening exchanges between the legislative bodies on foreign affairs, enhancing cooperation and pushing the governments to implement various cooperation projects for poverty reduction.
The Lao National Assembly’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman, Dr Eksavang Vongvichit, mentioned some shortcomings in cooperation such as the coordination between related sectors at the central and local levels and identifying funding sources for implementing development projects agreed on by the three sides.
We, the Committees of Foreign Affairs, have to make more efforts in overseeing the implementation of the agreements, treaties and development plans agreed to by the government’s of the three countries, he said.
At the meeting, which was also attended by the Lao Minister of Planning and Investment, Dr Souphanh Keomixay, and National Assembly members from the provinces in the triangle development area, participants will discuss ways and measures that they will recommend to their governments for implementation.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Laos.htm