The Presidents of the front organisations of Cambodia, Laos and Việt Nam signed a trilateral co-operation agreement covering the period 2017-20 at their third conference, held in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Văn Điệp

HÀ NỘI – The Presidents of the front organisations of Cambodia, Laos and Việt Nam signed a trilateral co-operation agreement covering the period 2017-20 at their third conference, held in Hà Nội yesterday.

The programme aims to further improve the ties among the three parties, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on co-operation they signed more than three years ago.

Under the programme, the parties will increase exchanges and relations between their chapters, along with planning high-level delegation visits for sharing experiences, while organising activities to celebrate major anniversaries of the three countries in 2017.

The three front organisations also pledged to coordinate to contribute to building a people-centred ASEAN community, forge friendships and mutual understanding among countries to encourage regional and global peace and stability, and address disputes via peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law and each other’s independence and sovereignty.

President of Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Trần Thanh Mẫn said the conference took place at a time when the three countries are celebrating 50 years of Vietnam-Cambodia diplomatic ties, 55 years of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations, and 40 years of signing the Việt Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Co-operation.

He called on the three front organisations to raise public awareness about the three countries’ traditional solidarity, friendship and cooperation, as well as working to prevent hostile forces from undermining their sound relations.

He stressed that the trilateral co-operation should focus on promoting economic-trade development and transport connectivity, in association with ensuring social welfare and environmental protection, and guiding localities along the shared borders to implement coordination and support one another.

President of the National Council of Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia Motherland Samdech Heng Samrin said the conference is important in maintaining the good relations among the three countries.

He said the content of the three front organisations’ MoU should be promoted among the people so they will join hands in strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation.

Samrin also suggested encouraging shared border localities to establish twinning ties and friendship associations to tighten their solidarity, friendship and cooperation along the borders.

Meanwhile, President of the Lao Front for National Construction Saysomphone Phomvihane said the three front organisations should carry out more educational campaigns to help people of all walks of life better understand the traditional solidarity and collaboration among Cambodia, Laos and Việt Nam.

He noted that guidance should be provided to border localities in implementing the MoU, thus building a border of peace and friendship.

The next conference of front organisation presidents of Cambodia, Laos and Việt Nam will be held in Cambodia in 2020 to review the trilateral co-operation programme in 2017-20 and sign a new agreement for 2020-23. — VNS