ID :
114961
Sun, 04/04/2010 - 17:32
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http://m.oananews.org//node/114961
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Thai, Lao PMs push for discussions on Mekong River water level drop at ASEAN summit
HUA HIN, April 4 (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his Lao counterpart Bouasone Bouphavanh agreed Sunday to push for a debate on the current record-low water levels in the Mekong River for discussion at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Vietnam April 7-9, a senior Thai official said.
Issara Sunthornwat, assistant to the Prime Minister's Office Minister, said the agreement was made following discussions which lasted about 20 minutes between the two men in the Thai resort of Hua Hin.
Both Mr Abhisit and Mr Bouasone are attending the first two-day Mekong River Commission (MRC) summit which began Sunday. Three Indochinese countries -- Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- and Thailand are MRC members.
Mr Issara said the two government leaders agreed that the sharp drop of water levels in the Mekong River had affected the livelihood of peoples in the member countries and the issue should be raised for discussions at the ASEAN summit.
Mr Abhisit and Mr Bouasone also discussed bilateral cooperation in trade and investment in which the former pledged that Thailand is ready to invest more in the landlocked country.
Thai conservationists have charged that the current drop of water levels in the Mekong river has resulted from the construction of four dams by China, upstream on the river. But China has defended itself against the charges, saying that the decline is attributed to global warming. (TNA)
Issara Sunthornwat, assistant to the Prime Minister's Office Minister, said the agreement was made following discussions which lasted about 20 minutes between the two men in the Thai resort of Hua Hin.
Both Mr Abhisit and Mr Bouasone are attending the first two-day Mekong River Commission (MRC) summit which began Sunday. Three Indochinese countries -- Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- and Thailand are MRC members.
Mr Issara said the two government leaders agreed that the sharp drop of water levels in the Mekong River had affected the livelihood of peoples in the member countries and the issue should be raised for discussions at the ASEAN summit.
Mr Abhisit and Mr Bouasone also discussed bilateral cooperation in trade and investment in which the former pledged that Thailand is ready to invest more in the landlocked country.
Thai conservationists have charged that the current drop of water levels in the Mekong river has resulted from the construction of four dams by China, upstream on the river. But China has defended itself against the charges, saying that the decline is attributed to global warming. (TNA)
