Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) mechanism has brought significant benefits to its member countries, said Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea has affirmed that .

In a press release issued by the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on August 23 after his attendance at the 9th MLC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Chiang Mai, Thailand last week, Sophea highlighted the importance of this cooperation mechanism.

The press release said that the Foreign Ministers of the member countries appreciated the progress made on implementation of the substantive outcomes of the 4th MLC Leaders’ Meeting in December 2023 as well as the 5-year plan on Action on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (2023-2027).

They agreed that the MLC mechanism must maintain the momentum of rapid development by deepening practical cooperation, jointly building a community of shared future of peace and prosperity among the Mekong-Lancang countries.

The Foreign Ministers encouraged complementarity between the MLC mechanism and other international and regional initiatives and cooperation strategies to achieve the MLC vision of sustainable peace, development and prosperity.

According to the press release, the Cambodian leader appreciated the substantive outcomes resulting from the implementation of projects in the Mekong subregion under the LMC Special Fund since 2017 and looks forward to effectively implementing new projects allocated for Cambodia.

Chenda Sophea said the LMC countries need to continue intensifying efforts to boost trade, investment, tourism, and green development in the region, while further strengthening agricultural cooperation, particularly with the support of advanced technology and innovation.

He added that the LMC countries should jointly tackle air pollution which poses threats not only to health but also to the region's economy, food and water security, and climate, while making collaborative efforts to combat transnational crimes, especially online scams, cybercrime, human trafficking, and other criminal activities.

The LMC countries include China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The LMC mechanism focuses on five priority areas of cooperation, n𓄧amely connectivity, production capacity, cross-border economic cooperation, water reಞsources management, and agriculture and poverty reduction./.