Addressing the sixth MLC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Chongqing, China, Son proposed major measures to realise the tasks, including sharing information and experience in fighting the pandemic and facilitating the cross-border circulation of goods.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (first from left) and other ministers at the meeting (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Other measures include stepping up cooperation in the sustainable management and use of water resources in the Mekong River and promoting coordination between the MLC and ASEAN and other regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms.

Foreign ministers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, China, and Vietnam spoke highly of cooperative outcomes over the last five years, especially in the management of water resources in the Mekong River.

They pledged to enhance the MLC by consolidating friendly neighbourliness, actively contributing to the socio-economic development of member countries, building the ASEAN Community, and realising sustainable development goals by 2030.

The ministers emphasised the fundamental cooperation principles of consensus, equality, mutual consultation, interest sharing, and respect for the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and international law, in line with the regulations and laws of each country.

The meeting adopted three documents on enhancing cooperation in sustainable development, encouraging cooperation between localities, and cooperation in traditional medicine.

The MLC will pay attention to cooperation in water resources and environment, the COVID-19 fight, post-pandemic economic recovery through boosting trade and investment ties between the six countries, and promoting partnerships between authorities in localities to utilise their potential and competitive edge./.

BTA