Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, July 28 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai has urged six countries of the Mekong and Ganga basins to work out concrete and practical projects to tap the two basins' potential for tourism.

The Government leader was speaking to the heads of delegations of Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, and India at the second Ministerial Meeting on Mekong-Ganga Cooperation in Ha Noi on July 28.

PM Khai told them that nations along the two river basins have left much of their potential untapped, so they should work together to put into full use those strengths in the interest of each and every nation as well as for sustainable development in the region.

In turn, the Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Somsavat Lengsavad, informed Prime Minister Khai of the progress made in implementing the Nov. 2000 Vientiane Declaration on Mekong-Ganga Cooperation. It included the establishment of five task groups, each in charge of one of the five areas of culture, tourism, education, transport and communication.

He said the Ha Noi meeting would work out follow-up steps to boost cooperation and development in the Mekong and Ganga basins.

At the reception, all the head delegates expressed a strong determination to promote cooperation among nations for economic, cultural and social development in the Mekong-Ganga region.--VNA