Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh was speaking at the first-ever ministerial meeting of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and five Mekong Delta nations, held in Seoul on October 28. 

He said Vietnam will take an active part and work closely with the member countries in implementing activities within the Mekong-RoK cooperation framework. 

He pointed out differences between the new and existing cooperation mechanisms, saying newly-designed cooperation programmes should be practical, meeting development requirements of each member country and the whole region.

He said these programmes should draw the participation of the business circles to make the most of their potential and promote economic activity in the region.  

The meeting was co-chaired by RoK Foreign Minister (FM) Kim Sung-hwan and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and FM Hor Namhong. It was attended by Vietnamese FM Pham Binh Minh, Lao Deputy PM and FM Thonglouan Sisouthlith, Thai FM Surapong Tovichakchiakul and Myanmar Deputy FM Myo Myint. 

The ministers endorsed the Han River Statement on the establishment of the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Mekong countries and RoK for Common Wealth,” which set out future cooperation visions and orientations for the concerned countries. 

They agreed to give priority to three cooperative areas, including ASEAN connectivity, sustainable development and development for people, focusing on such key areas as infrastructure, human resources development, information technology, the environment, forestry, water resource management, agriculture and food security.  

They exchanged views on regional political security, the Korean peninsular situation, the democratic process in Myanmar, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, maritime security, the fight against trans-national crime, natural disaster mitigation and crisis management. 

The diplomats welcomed RoK decision to double its official development assistance for ASEAN countries until 2015, mostly for Mekong Delta countries.

The same day, FM Pham Binh Minh and the heads of delegation paid a courtesy visit to RoK President Lee Myung-bak. 
FM Minh also met with his RoK counterpart Kim Sung-hwan. They said both countries are preparing for a upcoming visit to the RoK by President Truong Tan Sang.