Vietnam attends EWEC development conference
(VOV) -A Vietnam delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son on May 20 attended the third deputy foreign ministerial conference on East-West economic corridor (EWEC) development taking place Bangkok, Thailand, with the participation of four countries- Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam- and Asian Development Bank (ADB) representatives.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of decisions adopted at the previous conferences and devised solutions for overcoming difficulties and obstacles so as to promote the efficient development of the EWEC.
It also adopted a joint declaration, hailing the EWEC development achievements especially in improving infrastructure along the corridor, fine-tuning the legal framework for cross-border transport cooperation.
Delegates lauded Myanmar’s EWEC connectivity efforts through the upgrading and improvement of inland roads linking to the EWEC road network.
The delegates consented to add road No 12 to the Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA) and set up a fixed bus route between the three countries as well as seeking funds for road accidents and maintenance.
The conference agreed to hold a joint meeting of Laos - Thailand – Vietnam experts under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on initial implementation of the cross-border transport facilitation agreement (IICBTA).
Participants asked the ADB to support urban development on the border and along the EWEC.
Myanmar is to host the fourth conference of its kind.