Thailand Attends Meeting of Mekong River Basin Countries, Japan

NAYPYIDAW (MYANMAR), August 11 (TNA) -- Sihasak Phuangketkeow, Thailand's permanent secretary for foreign affairs and acting foreign minister, attended the 7th Mekong-Japan Cooperation meeting in Naypyidaw, the Myanmar capital on Saturday. Participants discussed future cooperation in relation to the formation of the ASEAN Community. They also looked into future challenges, sustainable economic development, facilitation of trade and investment, human resource development and the capacity enhancement of member countries. The meeting agreed to quickly complete the east-west economic corridor, especially by establishing one-stop service facilities along the borders within next year. Thailand supports connectivity to other regions, multi-modal transport and promotion of private sector's roles. Thailand invited Japan to increase its investment in the region in the manner of Japan+Thailand+1 Mekong region country. For sustainable economic development, Thailand supports cooperation in environmental affairs and disaster responses. Thailand hosted two Green Mekong Forums in 2011 and 2013 for concerned countries to discuss the issues. Last year Japan granted aid worth about Yen 220 billion, about Bt74 billion, to countries in the Mekong River Basin. (TNA)