Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh led the Vietnamese delegation at the
Ministerial Meeting of the Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) and the
Friends of the Lower Mekong (FLM) Ministerial Meeting in Brunei on
July 1.
Under the theme “Opportunities and
Challenges on Connectivity and Environment”, the LMI meeting discussed
challenges to regional development and demands for cooperation and
support for Mekong countries to narrow development gaps.
At the meeting, US Secretary of State John Kerry reaffirmed US
commitment to strengthen cooperation with Mekong countries in the
implementation of the LMI.
According to the
delegates, LMI cooperation made positive progress in six key sections
through the implementation of a number of initiatives and joint
cooperation programmes.
They agreed to create closer links
between the LMI and the Initiative of ASEAN Integration, and assist
Mekong countries in integrating into the fields that the US is
strong in, such as education and training, energy, information
technology and health care.
The meeting agreed to launch the
Eminent and Expert Persons Group to make recommendations to the
Ministers on the strategic direction of the LMI and the way forward.
The Friends of the Lower Mekong (FLM) Ministerial Meeting discussed
opportunities and challenges in the management of shared water resources
in Mekong River.
Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh
Minh spoke highly of development dialogues, including with the US ,
in implementing activities to strengthen connectivity and integration
between Mekong countries.
The Mekong basin in general and
Vietnam in particular will be seriously affected by climate change and
other environmental challenges, Minh said, adding that related countries
should abide by international law and the 1995 Mekong Agreement to use
shared water resources sustainably and fairly.
The countries
welcomed and pledged to implement two projects proposed by Vietnam
in 2012 relating to the management of groundwater and water during the
dry season in the Mekong basin.
Dialogue partners and donors
pledged to help Mekong countries improve infrastructure, strive for
sustainable development, and especially raise the capacity of the Mekong
River Commission in the evaluation of environmental impacts and water
management.-VNA