PM is accompanied by Minister-Chairman of the Office of Government Vu Duc Dam, Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh, Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang and Governor of the State Bank of Viet Nam Dinh La Thang.

The Government chief is expected to attend the 6th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam Summit (CLMV 6), the 5th Ayeyawadi-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS 5) and the 7th Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Development Triangle Summit (CLV 7).

The CLMV 6, which will also get underway on March 12, will examine the implementation of the 2011–2012 action plan, and discuss specific areas of cooperation and orientations to increase links among countries.

Cooperation in the Mekong region is florishing. The cooperation mechanisms of CLMV and ACMECS have yielded some success, especially in the hosting of regional trade fairs and exhibitions. Cooperation has boosted tourism and facilitated trade among countries through building a one-stop service system and one-door customs at international border gates.

Viet Nam has taken part in cooperation activities under these mechanisms, played a leading role in devising annual action plans, and put forward initiatives for more efficient cooperation.

PM Dung will also chair the CLV 7 and visit some northern provinces of Laos.

Held every two years, the CLV 7 will start on March 12 with the participation of the Prime Ministers of the three countries as well as leaders of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.

The CLV 7 is held at a time when bilateral ties between Viet Nam and Laos, and Viet Nam and Cambodia have strengthened and developed in the spirit of solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation.

Cooperation among the 13 provinces in the development triangle has yielded encouraging results, especially in the implementation of the socio-economic development master plan until 2020, which was adopted in 2010. The localities maintained high economic growth, with their economic structures shifting towards more promising fields. Infrastructure has improved and positive economic, trade and education achievements have been made.

The event will review the implementation of agreements reached at CLV 6, and define the directions to promote future cooperation among the three countries. The three PMs will also adopt a joint statement.

Meanwhile, PM Dung’s visit to Laos’ northern provinces targets to tighten the Viet Nam–Laos friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation by discussing measures to enhance links and investment and sharing experiences in local socio-economic development./.

By Khanh Phuong