MLC foreign ministers support open world economy

Foreign ministers from six Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) countries have highlighted the importance of an open world economy and the maintenance of a rules-based multilateral trade system with the World Trade Organisation at its core.
MLC foreign ministers support open world economy ảnh 1Foreign ministers from six Mekong-Lancang Cooperation countries pose for a photo at the meeting in Laos (Photo: VNA)
Vientiane (VNA) –Foreign ministers from six Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) countries have highlightedthe importance of an open world economy and the maintenance of a rules-basedmultilateral trade system with the World Trade Organisation at its core.

In apress statement released after the conclusion of the fourth MLC ForeignMinisters’ Meeting in Laos, ministers from China, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar,Thailand, and Vietnam reaffirmed that the MLC will be based on the principlesof consensus, equality, mutual consultation and coordination, voluntarism,common contribution, and shared benefits.

Theyalso reiterated respect for the United Nations’ charter and international law, aswell as aspired towards a spirit of friendship, openness, and inclusivity.

Theministers agreed to promote the synergy of national development strategies,bring into full play resource endowment and competitive advantages, promoterational flow and optimal allocation of production factors, and to start a discussionon jointly building a MLC Economic Development Belt for mutual benefit andshared prosperity.

Theyalso pledged to conduct high-quality production capacity cooperation and speedup the formulation of a cooperation plan on connectivity among the Mekong-Lancangcountries and development plans of cross-border economic and productioncapacity cooperation.

Theministers expressed readiness to work together for the complete success andpositive outcomes of the fifth MLC foreign ministers’ meeting to be held inDecember 2019 in China and the third MLC leaders’ meeting in January 2020 inLaos.

Thefirst MLC leaders’ meeting took place in March 2016. –VNA 
VNA

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