Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia boost partnership in fighting drug crime

NDO/VNA—Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia agreed to work closely together to fight drug crime, said a joint statement adopted at the closing session of their sixteenth Tripartite and Bipartite Ministerial Conference on Drug Prevention and Control in Phnom Penh on December 7.

Heads of the three delegations sign the minutes of the meeting. (Photo: VNA)
Heads of the three delegations sign the minutes of the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

The statement underlined the importance of information sharing and coordination in the investigation and arrest of criminals engaging in the illegal trade and transport of drugs and drug precursors across the border, with a focus on cracking down on facilities making synthetic drugs.

At the conference, participants shared the view that heroin, synthetic drugs and amphetamine-type stimulants are posing mounting challenges to the global fight against drugs and threatening security, health and the well-being of the people, especially youths, in the three countries and the region in general.

Representatives from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia gave priority to measures to effectively combat cross-border drug trafficking and improve the working efficiency of the Border Liaison Office and the capacity of concerned agencies.

Relevant agencies will join hands to organise public awareness campaigns on the danger of drugs and related crimes, especially in border areas, as well as to build drug-free and crime-free residential areas, contributing to building a border of peace and friendship.

The three countries will make efforts to implement Vision 2015 and fulfill the goal of protecting the ASEAN Community from drugs in the 2016-2025 period, and build a drug-free ASEAN Community, which is also a high-priority goal.

Together with other member states, they will implement the ninth Plan of Action on Drug Prevention and Control in the Greater Mekong Subregion, focusing on enforcing laws, reducing demand for drugs and HIV/AIDS infections and pooling resources for the effort.

Deputy Director of Vietnam’s General Department of Police, Lt. Gen. Dong Dai Loc, said Vietnam had signed memoranda of understanding with Laos and Cambodia under which the country will continue offering training and holding seminars to share expertise with and provide methadone to Laos and Cambodia.

The Tripartite and Bipartite Ministerial Conference of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos on Drug Prevention and Control has been held annually, with the three nations alternately hosting it, since 2001.

The next meeting is scheduled to be held in Laos.