Prime Minister Phan Van Khai made the affirmation at the second ACMECS Summit in Bangkok on November 3, which included a ceremony to recognise Viet Nam as an ACMECS official member. ACMECS now includes Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Viet Nam.

He said ACMECS member countries have over the recent past made numerous achievements in developing their economies, maintaining stable growth and improving the people's living conditions.

Khai cited the strengths of ACMECS, including a combined population of over 200 million people, fertile land, abundant natural resources, a strong workforce, and unique cultures.

However, he said that due to disparities in the development level among member countries, a large proportion of people in ACMECS are living in poor conditions while available potential has not yet been fully exploited to serve economic development and social affairs.

PM Khai called on ACMECS member countries to increase their cooperation in specific areas for international economic integration that is being accelerated here and there.

Despite their differences in geography, population and economic development levels, Khai said that ACMECS member countries will work together for the common goal of prosperity, peace and stability in their region. He said: "This is the foundation for a long-term cooperation of ACMECS member countries."

"The strong flows of the Ayeyawady, Chao Phraya and Mekong Rivers will absolutely bring in alluvium to increase the prosperity of ACMECS member countries, and the region as well," PM Khai said.

He said the organisation, established recently, has demonstrated itself as a mechanism that contributes to strengthening the coordination of other cooperation mechanisms in the region.

Khai cited attractive tourism programmes developed from the "five countries, one destination" idea and projects to build trans-national bridges and routes as examples of ACMECS member countries’ efforts to promote economic development and strengthen the ties between nations.

With a policy of developing a dynamic partnership with developed partners, ACMECS member countries have shown an increasing trust in the organisation, a decisive factor to determine the effectiveness and success of group cooperation, PM Khai stressed.

Prime Minister Khai said the summit is taking place at a significant time when its member countries are fully aware of the necessity of lifting their cooperation to a new height, helping further boost economic growth and maintain sustainable development in the context of the world facing many uncertainties such as high petrol prices, increasing epidemics and more severe natural disasters.

This fact requires countries to diversify their cooperation, give priorities to highly effective and practical projects, pay more attention to effective exploitation of local potentials, especially the role of domestic enterprises, and actively mobilise foreign partners’ assistance.

Building regular consultancy mechanisms on the basis of mutual benefits is also an important factor for the ESCPA and ACMECS Plan of Action's projects to yield practical results, contributing to consolidating peace, prosperity and development in the ASEAN family.

Viet Nam and its neighbouring countries have a long-term tradition of cooperating with and helping each other, Khai said.

"Viet Nam is ready to share common interests with the ACMECS countries in the framework of regional and international economic cooperation. These activities will help strengthen the solidarity, mutual trust and respect between Viet Nam and the ACMECS members," the PM noted.

As a reliable partner of all countries and with a spirit of friendship, Viet Nam will make great contributions to the ACMECS's success in fulfilling the Bagan Declaration's goals.

Khai expressed his strong belief that the summit will mark a new advance in the ACMECS's development. He also said he hoped that with tenacious efforts and firm belief, those objectives endorsed in the Bagan Declaration will soon come true.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the second ACMECS Summit, Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expressed his joy at Viet Nam's joining ACMECS and his belief that Viet Nam will play an important role in making ACMECS stronger.-Enditem