Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos Leaders Highlight Cooperation for Growth and Regional Stability

PHNOM PENH, 7 February 2026 (KPT) – The prime ministers of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos have stressed the importance of closer cooperation to drive economic growth and safeguard peace and stability in the region, following a trilateral meeting in Phnom Penh.

The talks on 6 February were chaired by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and attended by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

They took place at the Peace Palace on the sidelines of high-level party meetings involving the Cambodian People’s Party, the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

Hun Manet hailed what he called close communication and productive cooperation among the three countries, noting progress in trade and economic ties.

He proposed further measures to expand cooperation, including raising Cambodia–Laos trade to USD 700 million by 2030 and boosting Cambodia–Vietnam trade to USD 20 billion.

The leaders agreed to strengthen people-to-people exchanges and improve connectivity through infrastructure, transport, culture, tourism and energy.

Technical teams were urged to accelerate talks on linking the Phnom Penh–Bavet expressway with Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City–Moc Bai expressway.

They underlined that strong trilateral relations are vital not only for economic development but also for maintaining peace and stability.

The prime ministers also encouraged closer political and diplomatic coordination, including information-sharing between foreign ministries and stronger ties among future generations of leaders.

Enhanced defence and security cooperation was highlighted as a means to combat cross-border crime, technology-related fraud and other non-traditional security challenges.

On trade and investment, Vietnam pledged to continue promoting investment in Cambodia. The three leaders also backed deeper connectivity in infrastructure, electricity, education and training, and reaffirmed support for the “Three Countries – One Destination” tourism initiative.