Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has stressed the importance of infrastructure connectivity and human resources which he said, are crucial to the Mekong sub-region’s development.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (1st from the right) attends the meeting. Photo: Vietnam+

In his speech at the fourth meeting of the Mekong – Republic of Korea (RoK) foreign ministers’ meeting in Seoul on July 29, FM Minh also said more attention should be paid to green growth, environmental protection and sustainable management and use of natural resources while accelerating economic growth.

At the event, which was an important activity in the 2014 Mekong – RoK exchange year, the ministers hailed active efforts by member countries in carrying out pilot projects. They stressed the need to narrow the development gap, and sustain the pace of economic development towards achieving green growth in the region.

The ministers welcomed the outcome of the second Mekong – RoK business forum held in Hanoi in May and agreed to consider making it a major channel to lure more private investment into the Mekong-RoK cooperation.

The meeting also adopted a 2014 – 2017 action plan and regulations on the use of Mekong – RoK development fund.

Several regional and global issues, such as the situation on the Korean peninsula, the East Sea and Thailand, food security and climate change, were also among topics of discussion.

The same day, Foreign Minister Minh is scheduled to hold talks with his RoK counterpart Yun Byung-se.

Vietnam and the RoK will co-chair the meeting next year.

Source: VNA