Vietnam was willing to join efforts to ensure the interests of farmers, rice exporters and consumers, especially those in developing countries, spokesman Le Dung told reporters in Hanoi.

Speaking about a regional initiative to establish the Organization of Rice Export Countries (OREC) between Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia, Dung said Vietnam pursued a food policy that protected domestic interests and fulfilled international commitments.
Dung said Vietnam had already established a bilateral rice export cooperation agreement with Thailand and joined a rice export cooperation mechanism with Thailand, India, China and Pakistan.

Countries in the Ayayewady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) framework were also discussing a rice cooperation mechanism that will concentrate on exchanging information and providing technical assistance, he said.
Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama withdrew his country’s submission to establish OREC on May 6, Dung said.