Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, July 28 (VNA) -- The Ha Noi Programme of Action for Mekong-Ganga Cooperation and the Agreements on Tourism, Cultural, Human Resource Development and Transportation Cooperation between six countries in the Mekong and Ganga basins were passed in Ha Noi on July 28.

The documents were adopted during the Second Ministerial Meeting on Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, MGC, by Cambodia, India, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The Ha Noi Programme of Action established a common framework of action and set out major directions for cooperation of the six countries in areas of tourism, culture, education and transportation and communication from now to July, 2007.

The Mekong-Ganga tourism cooperation aims at promoting awareness of enormous cultural richness and diversity of the MGC region and its many attractive tourist destinations; encouraging tourism investment, boosting tourism education and training; facilitating travel of tourists among member countries and promoting eco-tourism.

On culture, the six riparian States agreed to promote joint research on cultural heritage of member countries, especially dance, music and theatrical forms and traditions; undertake conservation, preservation, protection and promotion programmes to revitalise and further develop MGC's cultural heritage; and boost cultural exchanges among member countries.

Mekong-Ganga education cooperation covers the promotion of exchange of students; strengthening collaboration between MGC universities and education research and management institutes; enhancement of joint education and training projects; organisation of education exhibitions and book fairs im member countries; and broadening information technology training and development.

MGC cooperation in transport and communication is aimed at developing transportation networks among member countries; promoting cooperation in air services and linkages; and communication and networking.

In his opening address to the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Cam of Viet Nam emphasized that Mekong-Ganga cooperation had set up an arrangement for the six countries to launch common initiatives and efforts with the aim of further closing their solidarity and friendship and better harnessing the region's cooperation potential.

He said that Mekong-Ganga cooperation was established on the basis of geographical, historical, cultural and economic similarities on complementary potential of countries in the two basins. This cooperation mechanism represents a clear demonstration of member countries' political will and determination to promote cooperation in the common interest of the peoples in the region.

Deputy PM Cam pointed out that even though the Mekong-Ganga cooperation is yet at the initial stage and that much remains to be done to establish effective cooperation frameworks and institutions, it is certain that the cooperation will be growing vigorously in the time to come and become a good model of inter-regional cooperation.

Foreign Minister U Win Aung of Myanmar and Foreign Minister Somsavat Langsevad of Laos organised a press briefing right after the meeting.

They told reporters that the Ministers discussed the possibility to establish a road and railway network linking the six riparian States.

It was announced at the press briefing that Ministerial Meetings on MGC will be held annually from now on.

The first MGC Ministerial Meeting was held in Laos last November.--VNA