Cambodia, Vietnam sign treaty to free up Mekong navigation+

Dec 17 04:30 AM US/Eastern

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PHNOM PENH, Dec. 17 (AP) - (Kyodo)—Cambodia and Vietnam signed a treaty Thursday that will allow freedom of navigation on Mekong waterways between the two countries and increase access to the river system for foreign vessels.

The Treaty on Waterway Transportation, signed by officials of the two countries in Phnom Penh,legally binds them to reduce official restrictions on cross-border navigation, the Mekong RiverCommission said in a statement.

"Both governments say the move will free up regional and international trade, help avoid delays and make river-based customs and immigration procedures more efficient and straight-forward," it said.

Mom Sibon, secretary of state of Cambodia's Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said that with the signing, "The Mekong and a range of other tributaries between Cambodia and Vietnam are now officially open. Now no one may legally stop river trade."

"This is a historical step that will not only improve the quality and efficiency of waterborne transport in the Mekong Region, but in the long-term, will increase export potential and help both Cambodia and Vietnam achieve their poverty alleviation goals," he said.

Hei Bavy, chairman and CEO of Phnom Penh Port, said the treaty means "we can now realize the full potential of the Mekong River by transporting goods directly to the United States, Europe andAustralia through (Vietnam's) Cai Mep Port."

The Vientiane-based Mekong River Commission, comprising Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, facilitated the agreement by assisting a legal task force in both countries, with funding provided by the governments of Belgium and Australia.

According to the MRC head Jeremy Bird, the new treaty will also generate increased revenue from tourism for Cambodia and Vietnam.

"This will help all vessels, including, river cruise ships by allowing better access to ports in theMekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and many more sites that attract tourists," he said.

The agreement also puts in place a range of measures for ensuring river traffic safety and regulating the transportation of dangerous goods by river.

The MRC said that improving river transport infrastructure will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions normally associated with land-based transport, since river freight produces only around a fifth of the CO2 per ton per kilometer compared with trucking goods by road.