Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen (R) and Laos' Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh (left) look at watches made in Cambodia and offered as gift to leaders attending the ASEAN summits at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. - AFP
VIENTIANE, Nov 14 (Vientiane Times/ANN): Asean leaders presented their visions for the future when attending the 40th and 41st Asean Summits and Related Summits, that ended on Sunday in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh suggested on Monday (Nov 14) that Asean member countries focus on the implementation of projects and initiatives under the Asean comprehensive recovery plan, which is aimed at reducing the impacts of and resolving the various disparities that have arisen from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Phankham also suggested that countries in the region strengthen their preparedness so they are better able to deal with any health emergencies that may occur in the future.
Asean leaders agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the development of digital economies and to strengthen the operations of businesses, including their use of digital functions.
At the 40th Asean Summit, Asean leaders reviewed and praised the success of efforts to further build the Asean Community over the past year.
Success was noted with reference to the fulfilment of priorities laid down by the Asean President for 2022, initiatives to deal with the effects of Covid-19, implementation of remaining activities in the 2025 Action Plan on 4th Asean Integration, and the plan to connect Asean 2025 with the building of smart cities.
The 41st Asean Summit reviewed cooperation between Asean and its negotiating partners. Asean leaders spoke highly of the important role played by Asean in the regional and international arenas and the fact that Asean is receiving more attention from external partners.
Asean leaders also shared their thoughts on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
While in Cambodia, Prime Minister Phankham met with his Cambodian counterpart, Samdech Hun Sen.
The two leaders said they highly valued their friendship and cooperation, which has grown strongly over past years.
They agreed to continue to encourage reciprocal visits by the top leaders of Laos and Cambodia.
The two prime ministers also encouraged the relevant sectors to speed up the implementation of various agreements and documents they had signed for the benefit of the people of the two countries. In addition, they discussed regional and international issues of interest to each other. - Vientiane Times/ANN
