In his speech at the fourth meeting of the Mekong – Republic of Korea (RoK) foreign ministers' meeting in Seoul yesterday, Minh also said more attention should be paid to green growth, environmental protection and sustainable management and use of natural resources while accelerating economic growth.

At the event, which was an important activity in the 2014 Mekong – RoK exchange year, the ministers hailed active efforts by member countries to carry out pilot projects. They stressed the need to narrow the development gap and sustain the pace of economic development towards achieving green growth in the region.

The ministers welcomed the outcome of the second Mekong – RoK business forum held in Ha Noi in May and agreed to consider making it a major channel to lure private investment into the Mekong-RoK co-operation.

The meeting also adopted a 2014 – 2017 action plan and regulations on the use of the Mekong – RoK development fund.

They also discussed regional and global issues, such as the situations on the Korean peninsula, the East Sea and Thailand, as well as food security and climate change.

Viet Nam and the RoK will co-chair the meeting next year.

S Korean relations

Viet Nam wanted to deepen relations with South Korea for the interests of their people and prosperity in the region, said Foreigner Minister Pham Binh Minh during talks with his Korean counterpart Yun Byung-se.

Minh proposed that the Koreans help reduce the number of Vietnamese workers who do not return home after their work contracts expire.

He said the two sides should work together on a work-permit licence programme for overseas workers.

At talks on the sidelines of the fourth Mekong-Republic of Korea ministerial meeting in Seoul yesterday, both sides said they were delighted at the rapid development of bilateral ties, especially since strategic partnership was set up in October, 2009.

The two sides discussed measures to implement agreements, including increasing delegation exchanges and promoting investment-trade cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.

They also agreed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums, for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world.

South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se said his nation wished to further strengthen its relations with Viet Nam on the basis of their strategic cooperation partnership.

VNS/VNN