Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh yesterday lauded proactive engagement and co-operation among all riparian countries at the third Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Mekong-Lancang Co-operation (MLC) held in China.– VNA/VNS Photo Lương Anh Tuấn

YUNNAN – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh yesterday lauded proactive engagement and co-operation among all riparian countries at the third Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Mekong-Lancang Co-operation (MLC) held in China.

Attending the meeting in Dali, Yunnan Province, were the foreign ministers of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, China and Việt Nam. 

Minh said Việt Nam had made active and effective contributions to building the MLC working mechanism and proposing practical ideas for co-operation. 

He acknowledged important MLC outcomes over the past two years, hailing China’s role and the proactive engagement of Mekong countries.

He suggested that the MLC should focus on enhancing sustainable management and use of Mekong River water resources to balance interests and responsibilities of  riparian countries. 

Collaboration between MLC and the Mekong River Commission would better meet countries’ demand for data sharing, joint research and improving management capacity, he said. 

The Deputy PM reiterated Việt Nam’s proposal to establish the first hotline among six MLC member countries to deal with emergency situations on the Mekong River.

Minh also called for enhancing joint work to develop a competitive agricultural sector that is resilient to climate change and able to engage in regional and global value chains by upgrading regional transport infrastructure and improving human resources training to meet demands of the fourth industrial revolution. 

The ministers reviewed the implementation of outcomes of the first and second meetings and discussed measures to promote regional sustainable development. 

Over the past two years, MLC member countries have completed many early-harvest projects, established a secretariat national co-ordinating centre in each country and the MLC Special Fund. 

Youth exchanges, cultural and tourism co-operation held within the framework had enhanced mutual understanding and friendship among the peoples of member countries, the meeting heard.

The ministers agreed that MLC should do more to help narrow the development gap and support building of the ASEAN Community. They approved a list of projects eligible for financial assistance from the MLC Special Fund.

In preparation for the second MLC Summit slated for January 10 - 11, 2018 in Cambodia, the ministers agreed on the content of several documents for submission to MLC leaders, including the MLC Action Plan for 2018-2022 and the list of MLC projects, second stage.

Minh also held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi yesterday.

He asked China to take effective measures to further boost bilateral economic and trade ties and help ease Việt Nam’s trade deficit, invest in projects using advanced and eco-friendly technology, as well as extend mutually-beneficial collaboration in agriculture, environment, climate change response and science-technology. 

He took note of recent progress made in negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China. He urged ASEAN and China to soon discuss practical content of the COC while continuing with full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), building trust and maintaining peace, stability and security in the East Sea. 

The two sides vowed to facilitate high-level visits and direct ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement existing agreements and realise common perceptions reached by high-ranking leaders. 

The Vietnamese Deputy PM also attended the inauguration of a photo exhibition on MLC achievements and the launch of the official website of the MLC Secretariat. — VNS