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

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 saidmore attention should be paid to green growth, environmental protectionand sustainable management and use of natural resources whileaccelerating economic growth.

At the event, which was animportant activity in the 2014 Mekong – RoK exchange year, the ministershailed active efforts by member countries in carrying out pilotprojects. They stressed the need to narrow the development gap, andsustain the pace of economic development towards achieving green growthin the region.

The ministers welcomed the outcome of thesecond Mekong – RoK business forum held in Hanoi in May and agreed toconsider making it a major channel to lure more private investment intothe 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 theKorean peninsula, the East Sea and Thailand, food security and climatechange, 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.-VNA