Vietnam, Laos commit to closely coordinating Mekong water use

Vietnamese Prime Minister (PM) Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith on Sunday agreed to work with other countries and international organizations to manage and use the Mekong water resources in a sustainable and effective manner.

The consensus was made during talks between the two PMs in Vietnam's capital Hanoi on the occasion of Thongloun's visit to Vietnam.

At their talks, Phuc said the Lao government chief's choosing Vietnam as the first country to visit after taking office reflects the importance that Laos attaches to the friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, reported Vietnam's state--run news agency VNA.

Both sides were pleased with their mutual support at regional and international forums, such as the cooperation mechanisms of Cambodia--Laos--Vietnam (CLV) and Cambodia--Laos--Vietnam--Myanmar (CLMV), the Ayeyawady--Chao Phraya--Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS), the Asia--Europe Meeting and the United Nations.

The Vietnamese government leader thanked Laos for water discharge from hydropower dams on the Mekong River as well as for its support for Vietnam in overcoming consequences of the prolonged drought and saline intrusion in the Vietnam's southern area.

Both sides agreed to work together to implement agreements reached by high--ranking leaders of the two countries in politics, diplomacy, defense--security, trade and investment.

The two PMs pledged to direct ministries, agencies and local authorities to carry out the cooperation plan between the two governments for the year 2016 and the Vietnam--Laos cooperation pact for 2016--2020.

(APD)