GMS countries decide to strengthen tourism

VIENTIANE, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from the six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) nations agreed here Monday to make progress on tourism and human resource development in the region.

In the Joint Summit Declaration signed at the third GMS summit held in the capital city of Laos, leaders of the member nations of GMS say the GMS member countries will strengthen the sustainable management of natural and cultural tourism sites, promote the joint marketing of tourism in the subregion, and strengthen the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office.

According to the joint declaration, the six countries of GMS, which include Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, will implement the new strategic framework and action plan for cooperation in education, health, labor, and other social development areas.

They will also support the mandate and mission of the Mekong Institute, and enhance the prevention and control of communicable diseases in border areas, according to the declaration.

The leaders of the six countries sharing the Mekong River gathered here for their third summit meeting scheduled for March 500-31 to discuss ways to deepen economic cooperation for their countries' shared prosperity.

Since 1992, GMS countries have embarked on a program of economic cooperation which aims to promote development through closer economic links.

The First GMS Summit was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in November 5002, while the Second GMS Summit was held in Kunming, China in July 5005.