The ties have been a motivation for the three neighboring countries to support each other in the fight for independence and freedom as well as national construction and development, especially when the region and the world are facing traditional and non-traditional threats.
Faithful solidarity and long-term sustainability
Vietnam and Laos have always stood side by side in significant historical periods. Their relationship has been increasingly expanded and strengthened. Amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have still maintained high-level delegation exchanges.
In particular, General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith paid an official visit to Vietnam in June 2021 and Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc officially visited Laos in August 2021.
    |
 |
|
Troops of Vietnamese, Lao and Cambodia in a joint patrol session |
Over the past years, Vietnam and Laos have paid much attention to implementing the signed cooperation agreements in culture, education, science and technology. The defense-security cooperation continues to be an important pillar in Vietnam-Laos relationship.
The two sides have completed the project of the Vietnam-Laos border marker increase and upgrade, reached two important legal documents, including a protocol on Vietnam – Laos borderline and border markers and an agreement on land border and border gates management regulations between the Vietnamese and Lao governments.
Competent forces of the two countries have coordinated in the fight against cross-border crime, the search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and advisors who laid down their lives in the neighboring country, and the COVID-19 combat. The two sides have also exchanged information and collaborated to build a borderline of peace, stability and comprehensive development.
Under the leadership of the two countries’ leaders, the Vietnam-Cambodia relation continue to develop more deeply, practically and effectively in all fields. In 2020 and the first months of 2021, amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 epidemic, senior leaders of the two parties, governments and ministries, departments and sectors sent letters to inquire after each other and share their the epidemic situations.
On the development of the traditional neighborly relationship, bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia in recent years have continued to be promoted. Particularly, defense and security cooperation continues to have many new developments, becoming an important pillar in the relationship between the two countries. The two sides will coordinate to maintain political stability, security, defense and development in each country, continue to coordinate well in the implementation of the Cooperation Protocol between the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam and the Ministry of Interior of Cambodia and annual security cooperation plan between the two defense ministries.
Priceless asset of the three peoples
At the online talk among senior leaders of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in March 2021, then Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (now President Nguyen Xuan Phuc), together with Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith stressed that the special friendship and solidarity is an invaluable asset of the three peoples, and expressed his belief that the future generations will continue to promote the relationship.
Regarding the cooperation among the three nations, the leaders spoke highly of their achievements in numerous areas such as politics, security, defense, economy, and so on.
They agreed to continue maintaining and promoting the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms as well as enhancing exchange among 13 border localities and implementing agreements on border management.
They also agreed to accelerate collaboration and mutual support in the COVID-19 prevention and control, as well as customs clearance for people and goods through border gates and investment activities.
|
|
 |
|
A performance at the Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia Border Friendship Exchange in 2018 |
The three leaders also appreciated the effective cooperation between the three countries at sub-regional, regional and international forums in recent years, affirming their commitment to work with other member countries to accelerate the process of building the ASEAN Community, coordinate to promote sub-regional cooperation within ASEAN, as well as link the Mekong cooperation with the ASEAN cooperation strategies and plans.
It can be said that, the cooperation relations among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have seen outstanding achievements over the past time. With the determination and solidarity of the leaders and people of the three countries, their relationships will ever-develop for the benefit of the people of each country as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Translated by Trung Thanh