On 3 October 2009, Mr. Kasit Piromya, Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the 2nd Mekong-Japan Ministers’ Meeting in Siem Reap the Kingdom of Cambodia. The main purpose of the meeting was to review current progress of the many development projects under the Mekong-Japan cooperation framework as well as to discuss the direction of future cooperation between the 2 regions under the theme “Mekong and Japan: A Partnership for Development”. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and was attended by Foreign Ministers and Deputy Foreign Minister from Thailand, Japan, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam; namely, Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mr. Nyan Win, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Union of Myanmar, and Mr. Dao Vin Trung, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. They also took this opportunity to pay a courtesy call on Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister Kasit reaffirmed Thailand’s commitment to continue playing an active role as development partner with Japan in providing further development assistance to the Mekong region, be them financial aid to improve infrastructure both in terms of grants and soft loans through Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) or human resource development projects offered by Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA). He also proposed that these undertakings be done in parallel, integrated or synergized, with existing cooperation frameworks such as the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) economic cooperation and the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS). He also suggested to strengthen the role of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and cooperation with academic institutes such as the Mekong Institute (MI) as well as to further promote developmental partnership between public and private sectors by encouraging more participation by Japanese businesses. Foreign Minister Kasit also expressed views on the future direction of cooperation which may focus in 3 priority areas namely, infrastructure development, environmental protection and human resource development and capacity building. Foreign Minister Kasit viewed that Japan could provide assistance on reforestation along the Mekong Basin, flood and drought management and mitigation of the Mekong River.
The Ministers recognized the role of development partners and donor agencies, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), of which part financial resources come from Japan, the major contributor and Thailand, and also noted with satisfaction Thailand’s strong commitment to the development of the Mekong sub-region in various kind of assistance ranging from enhancing regional transport linkages to empowering human resource capacity.
The Ministers of the Mekong region countries particularly appreciated the ongoing expansion of Japan’ ODA to the Mekong region countries, including through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).
In addition to economic development, the meeting also emphasized the importance of promoting people-to-people contacts and cultural exchanges, by setting this year as “Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009” which involves both cultural and academic activities.
The meeting also discussed the cooperation in the field of protection of the environment and the fight against climate change, as well as exchanged views on regional and global issues including preparedness to pandemic diseases and natural disaster, and the United Nations reform etc.
Lastly, the meeting welcomed the convening of the first Mekong-Japan Summit to be hosted by Japan in Tokyo in 6 — 7 November 2009. The Ministers were of the view that the Mekong — Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting should be convened regularly, while the Senior Officials’ Meeting should be held annually.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th