Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh underscored the importance of quality infrastructure and balance between economic growth and environment protection in his speech to the 8^th Mekong-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 5.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh co-chairs the ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (Source: VNA)

He proposed the Mekong – Japan cooperation focus on the building of a feasibility study for a multi-mode transport route connecting the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) and the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) with South Asia region.  Mekong countries and Japan should also work together to continue improving business climate and attracting investment in high added-value areas such as agriculture and tourism.

The same day, Deputy PM Minh and Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Yun Byung-se co-chaired the 5^th Mekong – RoK Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

He highly valued the role of private sector and suggesting making good use of effective and practical mechanisms like the Mekong – RoK Business Forum.

(Source: VNA)