Thailand
Six Mekong countries agree to deepen cooperation
Luang Prabang: The foreign ministers of the six Mekong countries met here yesterday to deepen cooperation and discuss the latest developments and implementation of previous meeting outcomes at the 4th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Lao and Chinese foreign ministers. Participants exchanged views on future activities under Mekong-Lancang Cooperation, with more than 120 representatives from Laos, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam attending the meeting, which was titled “Enhancing Partnership for Shared Prosperity”.
Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith said “We adopted the joint press communique of the 4th MLC foreign ministers’ meeting and took note of the progress report of the year 2018 on implementing the 5-year plan of action on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (2018-2022) and the matrix of follow-up of MLC projects.”
“With regard to the implementation of the 5-year plan of action, we took note with satisfaction of the progress made in various projects and programmes during 2018, especially the early harvest projects, brightness journey project, poverty reduction projects and MLC special fund projects, which have contributed to the enhancement of socio-economic development in the Mekong region,” he added.
The meeting also noted with satisfaction that the application and approval of the MLC special fund projects for 2018 had been completed. The Mekong member countries thanked the government of China for the support and assistance provided in this area, Mr Saleumxay said.
In terms of future cooperation, the ministers agreed to instigate greater cooperation in new areas and new initiatives for mutual benefit and shared prosperity.
These areas could include high-quality production capacity cooperation, an MLC economic development belt, and building a community with a shared future of peace and prosperity among the Mekong-Lancang countries to further advance socio-economic development and cooperation among member countries. The ministers also discussed the development of the MLC working structure and coordination in a standardised and efficient manner, including building the capacity of the national secretariat-coordination unit.
Mr Saleumxay said “We reaffirmed that Mekong-Lancang Cooperation will be based on the principles of consensus, equality, mutual consultation and coordination, volunteerism, common contributions and shared benefits and in the spirit of friendship, openness and inclusiveness.”
“Our meeting was successfully concluded. The ministers will continue to work closely together towards the success of the Laos and China co-chairmanship in 2018-2020, especially in preparing for the 3rd MLC Leaders’ Meeting in Laos in early 2020.”
Cooperation has been very important in contributing to socio-economic development in the five priority areas of linking, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water resources, and agriculture and poverty reduction, Mr Saleumxay said. Besides these five priority areas, there has also been cooperation in education, customs, public health and youth development.
Projects have been implemented in each member country. Laos is currently undertaking 13 cooperation projects valued at over US$3.4 with funding from Mekong-Lancang Cooperation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Wang Yi, who also co-chaired the meeting, said “It is very helpful cooperation to share future culture and economic cooperation among our six countries, which need to deepen their partnership. I hope the discussions will advance our development.”
Laos will host the third Lancang-Mekong Cooperation summit in 2020 after Cambodia hosted the second summit in January 2018. The summit is another milestone in deepening political trust, fostering practical cooperation and promoting inclusive regional integration.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_Six.php