Interview of H.E. Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Senior Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation with the Xinhua News Agency’s Written Interview
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1. Since the establishment of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) mechanism, most of the 45 early projects and a dozen of proposals made at the First Leaders’ Meeting have either been accomplished or made significant progress. Among these projects and proposals, how many are related to Cambodia? How is the development of projects and what achievements and experiences have participating parties gained?
Among the 45 Early Harvest Projects (EHPs), which are all multilateral in nature, five of them proposed by Cambodia have been approved. Generally, 3 to 5 MLC member countries will be involved in the implementation process, which eventually will yield direct benefits to their respective countries. The EHPs focus on the five priority areas of cooperation ranging from human resources training, personnel exchanges, joint research and community-based welfare projects, etc.
2. LMC countries adopted the Phnom Penh Declaration and the Five-Year Plan of Action (2018-2022) during the 2nd MLC Leaders’ Meeting in January 2018. How can the achievements of this meeting guide the cooperation in the coming years?
The Phnom Penh Declaration and the Five-Year Plan of Action (2018-2022) are two very important documents, which provide clear-sighted vision for the future development of the MLC. Frankly speaking, the evolution of the MLC, from its nurturing stage into its current growth period, is quite fast and impressive. We are already exploring new areas of cooperation, beyond the five priority areas, so that we can respond to the evolving and emerging development needs of the Mekong-Lancang countries. We seek to optimize this cooperation model by gradually expanding it onto larger sub-regional projects that can jointly form a MLC Economic Development Belt.
In the short term, say 2018 and 2019, the emphasis should be on laying the foundation by strengthening sectorial cooperation planning and implementing small and medium-sized cooperation projects. For the medium term (2020–2022) we should aim to consolidate and expand by exploring new cooperation areas, as I have mentioned earlier.
3. What changes have the MLC mechanism and projects brought to Cambodia?
International integration is important for Cambodia’s development and its international standing. We see the MLC as another complementary mechanism that can help Cambodia strengthen its sub-regional integration. As a co-founding member, we can shape from the very beginning its development agenda and the various modalities for implementation.
For a mere two years old mechanism, we could attest to its positive politico-economic and social effects on the Mekong region in term of shaping a common vision for a shared prosperity for the Mekong countries and beyond.
In term of project specifics, we have secured 16 Cambodian projects, which, when completed, will bring considerable benefits for the Cambodian people in a broad range of fields from enhancing people livelihood, to capacity building in the fields of education, health, tourism, and ICT, to developing cooperation exchanges in Buddhism, to conserving and protecting cultural properties. Other tangible economic benefits could come directly from enhancing air connectivity in the LMC region, promoting agricultural sector in addressing land degradation, and sustainable forest use and sustainable fisheries management in the Mekong Region.
4. What events will be held in Cambodia during the MLC Week this month? How can the annual MLC Week improve the MLC?
I am pleased to initiate a “Public Forum on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation” to celebrate the very first “Annual MLC Week”. The event will be held on 22 March 2018 with the aim of promoting public awareness of the MLC. Over time this annual MLC Week can go a long way toward building a brand for the MLC.
5. What are the priorities to build Mekong-Lancang community of shared future? What role has the MLC been playing in the sustainable development and Lancang-Mekong region? How do you comment on Cambodia’s and China’s roles in the community?
The rationale for the establishment of the MLC is “peace and development”. We see this sub-regional framework being instrumental in two ways: first, in narrowing the existing development gap among the Mekong countries, and second, in accelerating the process of the ASEAN Community Building. That is why the MLC focuses on key priority sectors like connectivity, productive capacity and cross-border economic cooperation, water resources, agriculture and poverty reduction cooperation. Ultimately, the success in all these fields will contribute toward the sustainable development of the sub-region.
I can’t stress enough on the blessing of having good neighbors. The spirit of the MLC is the driving force for all of us to aspire to a common goal of building a community that is peaceful and prosperous. The close and privilege relations between Cambodia and China are very important. Irrespective of our different sizes and power base we need each other to contribute to peace and prosperity and to advance our common interest for the sub-region. Respect of sovereignty and non-interference are the key principles of international relations and the foundations of international peace and stability. I believe that Cambodia and China share these common principles.
6. How will the second batch of MLC projects help in the development?
One of the main characteristics of the MLC cooperation is its project-based orientation. From the early start, we have launched the Early Harvest Projects, which are in a way a testing ground for understanding the needs of the Mekong countries. Gradually we have become a bit bolder by envisaging more sophisticated projects. The Second Batch Projects are again marking a gradual evolution to more ambitious projects in the future, which I am certain will come in due course. For every phase of implementation of these projects, we will gain more confidence from the process and eventually we will be able to design larger projects to connect to regional and global initiatives like the Master Plan of ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (B&R), among others.
7. Compared to the Lower Mekong Initiative, Greater Mekong Sub-region and Mekong River Commission, what are the advantages of the MLC?
The MLC is not a substitute for any other framework. Although the MLC is a newly established mechanism, compared with other Mekong cooperation initiatives, it has produced many concrete results and achievements mainly because of its political clout. Having a clear-sight leadership and strong political support from all leaders of the six countries are probably the MLC’s best strengths.
With a concrete project-driven initiative, the MLC can provide its member countries with a strong sense of ownership. National ownership is indeed the prerequisite for long term sustainability.
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