Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam to Conduct Joint Military Exercises in November
Summary
Cambodia will host joint military exercises with Laos and Vietnam this November as part of their annual defense ministers’ meeting. This follows last year’s Border Defence Friendship Exchange. The initiative aims to enhance military cooperation, political trust, and regional stability while addressing bilateral military exchanges and transnational challenges.
Cambodia is scheduled to host joint military exercises in collaboration with the armed forces of Laos and Vietnam this upcoming November, coinciding with the annual meeting of defense ministers from these three neighboring nations. This significant initiative follows the inaugural “Border Defence Friendship Exchange” that took place in December of the previous year within the tri-border area. The Cambodian Ministry of National Defence officially announced the upcoming exercises in a statement issued on September 15. This statement also detailed the successful participation of Defense Minister Tea Seiha in the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum recently held in China. Both General Chansamone Chanyalath, the Minister of National Defense of Laos, and General Phan Van Giang, the Vietnamese Minister of National Defense, have confirmed their participation in both the defense ministers’ meeting and the joint military drills. The three ministers previously visited the border region where Cambodia’s Ratanakkiri province meets Vietnam’s Kon Tum and Laos’ Attapeu provinces, in a historic first exchange intended to advance the trilateral cooperation blueprint for 2023 among their respective ministries of defense. This exchange was designed to bolster political trust, friendship, and solidarity, promoting cooperation among the border defense forces, local government authorities, and the citizens of the three nations. The initiative aims to cultivate a border characterized by peace, friendship, stability, and mutual support. In addition to discussions on strengthening cooperation, particularly bilateral exchanges of military personnel and communication among border unit officials, Vietnamese Minister General Van Giang expressed appreciation to his Cambodian counterpart for condolences regarding the recent natural disasters in Vietnam. Further to this, General Van Giang requested continued collaboration from Cambodia in locating the remains of soldiers missing from the war, while also extending an invitation to Cambodia’s defense minister to attend the 80th-anniversary celebration of Vietnam’s People’s Army and the second National Defense Exhibition scheduled for December 2024. The three countries are integral components of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA), established in 1999 and formalized in 2004, aimed at enhancing interconnectivity, particularly in trade. However, there have been calls from some Cambodian citizens urging their government to reconsider its participation in the CLV-DTA framework, citing concerns regarding territorial integrity. Nevertheless, Cambodian officials have confirmed their intention to remain involved in the agreement. Kin Phea, the director of the Institute of International Relations at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, expressed uncertainty over whether the joint military exercises fall under the CLV-DTA framework but acknowledged the importance of such collaborative military efforts.
Joint military exercises among Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam are significant not only for regional security but also for fostering diplomatic relationships between these nations. Historically, these exercises promote shared learning experiences and support multiple areas such as disaster relief and combatting transnational crime. Following the establishment of the CLV-DTA, these nations have sought to enhance connectivity, solidifying trade routes and political alliances. However, the continued participation of Cambodia in this framework has prompted discussions concerning territorial issues, signaling the need for careful navigation of national interests while pursuing collective regional goals.
In summary, the imminent joint military exercises in November signal an important step in strengthening the defense cooperation between Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. These collaborative efforts are designed not only to enhance military readiness but also to foster deeper political and diplomatic ties among the three nations amidst ongoing discussions of territorial and national integrity concerns. Such exercises are vital for maintaining peace and stability in the region while promoting mutual understanding and cooperative development among the participating countries.
Original Source: www.phnompenhpost.com
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