Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

The meeting, held in the form of a teleconference, reviewed Mekong-RoK cooperation in the year, and discussed orientations for collaboration in the time ahead, along with a number of regional and international matters.

During the first Mekong-RoK Summit in Busan last November, the two sides agreed to upgrade their cooperation to a summit level, the ministers said.

They also emphasised major achievements in implementing cooperation projects on infrastructure, information-technology, education, vocational training, agriculture, environmental protection and water resources management.

Participants called for stronger cooperation between member countries to contain and mitigate the impact of COVID-19, and suggested enhancing partnerships in culture and tourism, human resources development, agriculture and rural development, infrastructure, information and communications technology, environment, and non-traditional security challenges.

They adopted the action plan for 2021-2025 with specific targets and measures, in order to develop a partnership for the people, prosperity and peace.

Regional and international issues regarding the East Sea, the Korean Peninsula, drought and cross-border crime were also debated during the meeting where the delegates consented to strengthen cooperation to cope with common challenges.

In his remarks, Minh said the Mekong-RoK cooperation has significantly contributed to the ASEAN Community building as well as joint efforts in promoting regional connectivity and sustainable development.

The ministers agreed that the second Mekong-RoK Summit will be held on the occasion of the 37th ASEAN Summit slated for November./.VNA