Vietnam intensifies partnership with Mekong nations

Vietnam’s Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son met with his counterparts of Cambodia, China, Laos, and Thailand for enhanced cooperation with countries sharing the Mekong River.

Vietnam's Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (R) and Cambodia’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn in Myanmar on July. Photos: Baoquocte

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 7th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on July 4 in Bagan, Myanmar, the 6th event of the cooperation mechanism that consists of Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In the meeting between Son and Cambodia’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, the two top diplomats agreed to prepare for the next high-profile exchange of visits and continue the momentum of comprehensive cooperation in terms  of politics, defense-security, economics, trade-investment, education, among others.

The two sides will continue celebrating the 55^th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations (1967-2022). They spoke highly of  the commemorations so far this year, saying that the activities help strengthen the multi-sectoral relations and improve people’s awareness of the two neighboring countries.

The ministers also expressed delight of the tightened bilateral relations, mainly the exchange of visits of high-ranking officials. 

Vietnam's FM Bui Thanh Son and China's FM Wang Yi.

In the talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Bui Thanh Son said Vietnam wants China to continue to facilitate the export of Vietnamese goods, especially agricultural and aquatic products to China, and the transit of Vietnamese goods to third countries.

He asked the two sides to maintain close coordination in the control of the Covid-19 epidemic, promote the resumption of commercial flights, and speed up the connection of road and rail transport in the region to facilitate people’s mobility.

Regarding the South China Sea issues, Son said  the two countries should keep implementing  agreements and principles reached by top leaders, respecting each other’s legitimate interest and complying with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) while keeping substantive implementation of the Declaration of Conduct (DOC) in the South China Sea and striving for the soon signing of the Conduct of the Parties (COC) in the South China Sea.
 

For his part, Wang Yi said the Chinese market is open to high-quality goods from regional countries, including ASEAN member states. Beijing attaches  importance to Vietnam’s role in the global supply chain to ensure smooth trade transaction.

He said China wants to solve disputes through dialogues and work with ASEAN in implementing DOC and negotiating COC.

Vietnam's FM Bui Thanh Son and Thailand’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.

In talking with Thailand’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai, Son requested Thailand to facilitate the import of food and milk products to soon balance the bilateral trade which is expected to soon hit US$25 billion.

They discussed measures to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2023; renew the Labor Recruitment Agreement in replacement of the one signed in 2015, enhance the exchange of high-ranking visits and deploy cooperation mechanisms in the coming time, including the 9th Political Consultation.

Meanwhile, Son and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith discussed the cooperation in celebrating the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the Amity and Cooperation Treaty to be held in both countries, especially commemorations to be organized in the two capital cities on July 18, 2022.

They agreed to continue implementing the cooperation between the two ministries of foreign affairs in the 2021-2025 period, including the Plan of Action on Economic Cooperation and Diplomacy.

Both countries vow to support each other at regional and international forums as well consolidate the ASEAN Centrality. 

Including China, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, MLC is a multilateral cooperation group that oversees transboundary water management in the Mekong.

Vietnam's FM Bui Thanh Son and his Lao counterpart Saleumxay Kommasith.