The Associations of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has opened a training programme for detached governmental officials from Cambodia , Laos , Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV).

The programme, based on a Japan ’s initiative, aims to help the officials learn regional cooperation experience according to the overall plan to build ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

Speaking at a meeting with eight CLMV officials participating in the programme, ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh said that the learners will be able to take part in cooperative programmes and fields of AEC and ASCC.

They will do practical exercises based on the current working demand of the ASEAN Secretariat (ASEC) and collaborate with the ASEC officials to improve their knowledge on regional issues.

During the course, they will learn how to establish a CLMV specialist network, attaching to each others through common experience and enthusiasm to reach ASEAN targets.

After the one-year programme, the officials are expected to have their capacity, ability and confidence improved in managing AEC- and ASCC-related issues in their own countries.

The course will also deepen knowledge and understanding about the strategic partnership between ASEAN and its partners, particularly Japan.

Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Kimihiro Ishikane said that the programme will help CLMV narrow the development gap with ASEAN+6, contributing to the common efforts to build the ASEAN Community by 2015.-VNA