Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand has called for cooperation among countries along the Mekong River and take numerious measures to solve problems such as of drought and flood in the region.
Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa has recently had a meeting with ambassadors of member countries of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), to resolve the floods along the Mekong River. The ACMECS groups five countries – Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.
During the meeting, participants discussed short-term and long-term plans to address issues relating to Mekong River, including floods.
Regarding short-term plans, he said disaster warning systems will be set up to suit the conditions of Thailand, Myanmar and other neighbouring countries which have different geographical features.
In the long term, Maris said the Thai Foreign Ministry will organise a meeting of Mekong countries through mechanisms like ACMECS.
The Thai diplomat stressed the need for cooperation and coordination between the Khon Kaen-based Mekong Institute, water management experts and the Mekong River Commission (MRC).
In addition to the Mekong Institute, the MRC and the ACMECS, Maris mentioned to other cooperation mechanisms such as the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) of which China is a member, and frameworks such as the Mekong-US, Mekong-Japan and Mekong-the Republic of Korea (RoK) groups. These organisations will combine the expertise of the Mekong Institute and the MRC to help ease the problems relating to the Mekong River.
According to Maris, the US, Japan and RoK can help Mekong countries install the necessary infrastructure for long-term flood prevention.
He also said that Thailand will seek further assistance from the Netherlands, a country with great flood prevention experience, if necessary./.
