Prime Mister Nguyen Tan Dung on April 5 met separately with leaders ofCambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand on the sidelines of thesecond Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit in Ho Chi Minh City.
They included the Prime Ministers of Cambodia Hun Senand Laos Thongsing Thammavong, Myanmar Foreign Minister UWunna Maung Lwin, and Thai Prime Ministerial Special Envoy SihasakPhuangketkeow.
At the meetings, PM Dung spoke highly of the countries’ contributions to the success of the summit.
Affirming that Vietnam always treasures ties with Mekong basincountries, he said Vietnam wishes to foster cooperation with other MRCmember countries and partners in order to boost the effectiveimplementation of the directions, strategies and projects of thecommission on the sustainable management and development of the river.
He highlighted the importance of undertaking studieson the environmental impact of hydropower plants on the mainstream ofthe river and the strict realisation of the 1995 Agreement of MekongCooperation.
He also expressed his hope that othercountries will follow the commission’s legal frameworks, including theProcedures for the Notification, Prior Consultation and Agreement(PNPCA), which ensures all sides inform and consult each other ofplanned developments on the river.
PM Dung alsonoted that Vietnam has completed the procedure to join the 1997 UNConvention on the Law of the Non-navigational Uses of InternationalWatercourses, and said he hopes that other countries in the MekongRiver basin will consider participating in the convention.
He expressed his particular delight at the socio-economic achievementsof Laos , declaring that Vietnam always supports the country’sdevelopment.
Lauding Vietnam and Cambodia forthe regular meetings of high-level delegations, he suggested that thetwo countries continue working closely to speed up the progress of theirjoint projects, while fostering coordination at regional andinternational forums.
PM Dung said he hopes the ThaiGovernment and people will overcome their current difficulties soon. Hesaid Vietnam is ready to discuss a plan of action to implement abilateral strategic partnership at any suitable time.
He also expressed hope that Thailand will continue promoting itsrole as the coordinator for the ASEAN-China relations, stepping uppartnership and dialogues on issues of mutual concern, especially thebuilding of a Code of Conduct of the parties in the East Sea .
The government leader hailed Myanmar’s position as the ASEAN Chairin 2014. He confirmed that he will lead a Vietnamese delegation toattend the ASEAN Summit in the country this May.
Theforeign leaders applauded Vietnam for successfully hosting thesecond MRC Summit, with the issuance of the Ho Chi Minh City Declarationwhich includes many important details.
The Lao leader said he believes that the two countries will continue enjoying a burgeoning relationship.
Meanwhile, Cambodian PM Hun Sen shared PM Dung’s opinion onimplementing the agreements reached by leaders of both countries.
Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin spoke highly ofbilateral coordination and collaboration between his country andVietnam at regional and international forums, especially the UN HumanRights Council of which Vietnam is a member.
On behalf of the Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Phuangketkeowsaid the Thai Government always wishes to build ties with Vietnam andfully implement the commitments, programmes and projects of the MRC.-VNA