(KPL) Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith attended the 11th Mekong-RoK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting through a video conference on Sep 8.
Co-chaired by Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Chung Eui-yong, the meeting was also attended by foreign ministers from other Mekong countries namely Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.
The meeting reviewed the cooperation among member countries under the Mekong-RoK framework over the past 10 years with a focus placed on the implementation of projects and programmes under the three pillars of cooperation (people, prosperity and peace) and seven priority areas of culture and tourism, human resource development, agriculture and rural development, basic infrastructure development, ICT, environment and new challenges.
The ministers reviewed the implementation of the agreements made at the 10th Mekong-RoK Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, and the 2nd Mekong-RoK Summit in 2020.
They also discussed and laid out cooperation directions for years to come with a focus placed on economic and social recovery in post-covid-19 pandemic.
Preparations for the 3rd Mekong-RoK Summit in late October were also discussed.
Mekong and Korean foreign ministers also commended the 10th anniversary of Mekong-RoK cooperation and Mekong-ROK Exchange Year 2021.
On this occasion, Minister Saleumxay Kommasith highlighted the importance of mitigation efforts against Covid-19 impacts on people’s living conditions and economy in the region. He urged RoK and Mekong countries to increase cooperation on modern logistics to promote transboundary economic connectivity to facilitate goods transport and people exchange, create favourable conditions for microenterprises, small and medium enterprises to access funding and market in the region, promote cooperation on digital industry, modern technology, e-commerce and e-learning.
The Lao minister also appreciated the Korean government for its provision of US$200 million worth of medical equipment and vaccines through COVAX to Mekong countries including the Lao PDR to support their anti-Covid-19 efforts.
KPL
