Cambodia’s ‘shocking’ exit from development deal with Vietnam, Laos ‘shakes its reputation’

Last Friday, Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that Phnom Penh would exit the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) agreement, effective September 20.

The CLV-DTA, established in 1999, aimed to boost economic cooperation and trade among the three countries’ bordering provinces.

Hun Manet accused “extremists” of using the deal as “a political weapon” to attack his administration, adding both Hanoi and Vientiane were notified of the decision that was made “to disarm the opposition and maintain peace and solidarity”.

“Taking into account people’s concerns about territory … we have decided that Cambodia is ending its participation in the CLV-DTA from Sept 20,” Hun Manet wrote on Facebook.