Japan, Mekong Countries Agree to Promote Cooperation

Singapore, Aug. 3 (Jiji Press)--Japan and five Southeast Asian countries along the Mekong River agreed on Friday to promote cooperation in the field of infrastructure development, human resources development and education promotion. The agreement was reached at a meeting in Singapore between Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and his counterparts from the five Mekong countries--Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Kono announced that a summit between Japan and the five nations will be held in Tokyo on Oct. 8-9. The ministers confirmed that they will accelerate efforts so a new strategy for cooperation will be worked out at the planned summit. END