Mekong-Lancang Cooperation initiated in 2016 has taken a position of comprehensive development within seven years, said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing joined the Fourth Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Leaders’ Meeting through the videoconferencing system yesterday afternoon.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that Myanmar has received 106 specially-funded projects worth US$31.6 million from 2017 to 2023, contributing to the country’s socioeconomic development.
The Senior General noted that member countries have to assist each other under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation procedure, and it is necessary to raise the momentum of implementing the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation initiatives corridor and drafting the plan to increase the relationship among member countries.
He continued that priorities must be given to human resource development for MSME businesses and agro-based enterprises, adding that member countries have to cooperate with each other in sharing technologies and expertise to improve the public health sector and implement Mekong-Lancang Cooperation for the development of infrastructures.
The Senior General thanked China for helping construction of the National Infectious Disease Prevention and Training Centre in Nay Pyi Taw, which will be completed in early 2024.
He welcomed the plans for the establishment of Mekong-Lancang tourism cities and the development and partnership of Mekong-Lancang aviation travels. He stressed the need to enhance the cooperation of member countries in the rule of law to combat transnational crimes, drug production and trafficking, human trafficking, terror acts, cybercrimes, and online gambling become hindrances to regional security and economic development. He also recognized the important role of the regional coordination sector being initiated by the Mekong-Lancang Security and Rule of Law Cooperation Centre.
Member countries’ leaders exchanged views on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation’s progress and future cooperation procedures. The meeting released the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration, the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Plan of Action (2023-2027) and the Joint Initiative on the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Innovation Corridor Development. At the meeting, the Senior General handed over the duty of alternate co-chairmanship to Thailand.
At the meeting, the Senior General was accompanied by Council Joint Secretary Lt-Gen Ye Win Oo, Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe and Deputy Minister U Lwin Oo.
From August 2020 to December 2023, Myanmar successfully served as the alternate co-chairman together with the permanent co-chairman of China for the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation formed with Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.
The meeting was presided over by Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Premier Mr Li Qiang of the People’s Republic of China as co-chairpersons, with attendance of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet, Laos Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính. — MNA/TTA
