The Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will work with the Lao counterpart to make their cooperative projects fruitful.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Minh Quang made the affirmation at the talks with his Lao counterpart Noulin Sinbandith during his working visit to Laos from October 21 to 23.

Regarding hydropower projects to be built on the main streams of the Mekong River , Minh elaborated Vietnam ’s viewpoint that hydroelectric plants will be built only after comprehensive scientific research on environmental impacts of these projects is made.

In line with that, Vietnam proposed that Laos should work with other members of the Mekong River Commission to jointly carry out the research, Minh added.

For his part, Minister Noulin Sinbandith expressed thanks to the Vietnamese Party, government and people for wholehearted support in the past time and said he believes that the two ministries will yield more effective cooperation.

The two ministers also exchanged views on future cooperation plans, especially the sharing of information and experience in environment protection, effective management and use of water resources of the Mekong River for the sake of the two peoples.

During the visit, the Vietnamese officials were received by Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong.

They had a working session with Laos’ National Mekong Committee.-VNA