Cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Việt Nam as well as Mekong sub-regional countries were among topics discussed at the Mekong-Republic of Korea Peace Forum 2018 held yesterday in Hà Nội.— Photo vovtv.vov.vn

HÀ NỘI — Cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Việt Nam as well as Mekong sub-regional countries were among topics discussed at the Mekong-Republic of Korea Peace Forum 2018 held yesterday in Hà Nội.

“The Mekong - Mekong Peace Forum 2018 is a continuation of the achievements of the two previous forums and expands the scope of discussion to connect the participation of delegates from the Mekong sub-region countries,” Phạm Hồng Thái, head of Institute for Northeast Asian Studies under Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences said in his opening remarks.

It was aimed at strengthening the cooperation between the countries for the development of peace and prosperity, he said.

According to Nguyễn Thị Thắm, from Institute for Northeast Asian Studies, the RoK considers Việt Nam a key partner in RoK President Moon Jae-in “new southern policy”.

“With its special geographic location, Việt Nam plays an important role in cooperative policy of the RoK in the region,” she said.

It was necessary to boost cooperation between Việt Nam and the RoK in the context of the implementation of the new southern policy which focuses on Southeast Asia, she added.

This idea was also shared by Kwon Yul from Korea Institute International Economic Policy.

Given the expanding global trade protectionists and increasing instability in global economy, the two countries should cooperate closely to effectively support countries in the Mekong sub-region.

Regarding plans for future development, he suggested that multilateral forums such as APEC, the Republic of Korea-ASEAN and the Republic of Korea-Mekong Sub-region should be intensified in response to challenges like food, energy and non-traditional security.

He also said Việt Nam was acting as an important partner in the economic development in the region.

South Korea is the biggest investor in Việt Nam and bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$64 billion last year

However, he underlined the need to tackle Việt Nam’s trade deficit to the RoK which stood at $31.7 billion last year.

He suggested the country improve supporting industry as well as strengthening technology competence.

Việt Nam mainly exports to South Korea phone and phone components, computer and computer components, machines and equipment and textile and garment products. It imported instruments, computers, electronics, petroleum, phones and plastics. 

During the forum, participants also hailed the positive move in the Korean peninsula.

The meeting of RoK President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at Panmunjeom was a historic milestone, opening up a good prospect towards peace, unification and denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, they said.

The forum which was organised by RoK’s National Unification Advisory Council and Vietnam Social Sciences Institute attracted the participants of diplomats, scholars and experts from Việt Nam, the RoK, and Mekong sub-regional countries. — VNS