Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen delivers a remark at the 3rd Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Leaders’ Meeting held virtually on August 24. (Photo: VNA)Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen emphasised theimportance of the regional cooperation among the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation(MLC) member nations.
He made theremarks at the 3rd MLC Leaders’ Meeting held virtually on August 24, Cambodia'snews agency Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP) reported.
Hun Sen sharedhis personal view on the vision for the future development of theMekong-Lancang Cooperation, saying at a time of global growth de-acceleration,securing new sources of development in the sub-region is amust.
“Therefore, weneed to speed up the realisation of the Mekong-Lancang Economic DevelopmentBelt (MLEDB) as a new engine of growth for the MLC sub-region,” he said.
He noted thatboosting investment in quality infrastructure, connectivity and industrialcooperation will stimulate more cross-border trade and further strengthen theintegration of the sub-regional supply chains into the global value chains.
At the sametime, promoting science, technology and innovation cooperation can enhance the long-termcompetitiveness of the sub-region, he added.
“It has beenfive years already since the Sanya Summit and I believe it is timely for us toinitiate a comprehensive assessment based on a sound monitoring and evaluationsystem to ensure the effectiveness of the MLC framework,” the PM continued.
For example,since the launch of the MLC Special Fund in 2016, Cambodia has received 55projects covering a broad range of practical cooperation activities, which haveproduced tangible impacts and contributed significantly to improving thewellbeing of its people, he said.
In the contextof the COVID-19 pandemic, he urged the regional countries to show solidarity andmutual trust in combating this common enemy to make sure that it does notdevastate national public health and economy.
He reiteratedthat promoting deeper regional integration and an effective multilateralism aretwo key priorities of the countries’ common action.
The top Cambodian leader affirmed hiscommitment to the MLC in building a “Community of Shared Future of Peace andProsperity.”/.
VNA
