Saturday, 29 March 2008

Thailand wants revived Emerald Triangle Cooperation

UBON RATCHATHANI, March 29 (TNA) - After delaying implementation of the Emerald Triangle Cooperation for nearly five years, the Thai government now plans to promote the plan, which emphasises tourism in the three countries involved – Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

Thai Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat told journalists after attending a workshop on development projects for the Emerald Triangle Cooperation Saturday that the project could be implemented but studies on the three governments' policies and politics must be first carried out.

Political changes occurred in Thailand frequently in the past, causing obstacles to the implementation of the project, but there were no problems regarding relations between the three neighbouring countries, said Mr. Weerasak.

However, sensitive issues including the economy, society, history, environment and security, all of which must be taken into consideration, he said.

A seminar at the national level will be held to push for implementation of the project, Mr. Weerasak said, adding that the private sector in the northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani has already developed the province to cater for the project.

The first meeting of the Emerald Triangle Cooperation was held Aug 2, 2003 in the southern Lao town of Pakse by the foreign ministers of the three countries.

It was believed that not only tourism cooperation in the area where the three countries join would be promoted, but that the scheme would also generate economic growth, reducing income disparity in the three countries and enhancing the well-being of people at the grassroots level.

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