On the sidelines of the upcoming Mekong River Commission Summit in Thailand, PM Nguyen Tan Dung will meet with Chinese representatives to discuss issues related to the Mekong River.

The Mekong River (photo: Dat Viet).

The upcoming conference will be the first marking the 15^th anniversary of the cooperation agreement for sustainable development of the Mekong River basin in four downstream countries– Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

Speaking to the local media, the Vietnam Mekong River Committee Chief Le Duc Trung noted that the PM will speak at the conference to raise suggestions on protecting water resources and to confirm Vietnam’s commitment to the cooperation agreement signed in 1995.

The conference will discuss common interests of countries along the Mekong River.

PM Dung will also have a sideline meeting with the Chinese Minister of Water Resources to share information and data about the Mekong River and water resources.

The Vietnamese delegation to the MRC summit will include Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Pham Khoi Nguyen. Nguyen will attend the MRC ministerial dialogue to discuss efforts against climate change and strengthening relations with strategic partners, especially with China and Myanmar.

The conference takes place when countries downstream on the Mekong River are asking China to bear the responsibility for droughts and floods caused by China’s hydro-power dams.

China has denied this effect of its hydro-power dams. The upcoming conference will be a chance for affected countries to question China.

A high-ranking declaration will be released after the conference.

Vietnam will host the next MRC Summit in 2014.

Phuong Loan