Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to enhance cooperation in combating drug-related crimes

• Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia benefit from development triangle mechanism
• Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia discuss development triangle area
• Enhancing control of drug-related crimes in big cities

The Vietnamese high-ranking delegation is led by Senior Lieutenant General Le Quy Vuong, Deputy Minister of Public Security, member of the National Committee on AIDS, Drugs and Prostitute Control of Vietnam.

Participants at the conference reviewed cooperative activities in preventing and controlling trans-border drug trafficking conducted by relevant forces of the three nations in 2016, agreeing that cooperation. At the Central level, various exchanges of experiences and practical lessons drawn from field surveys, research and training activities have been conducted.

To raise the effectiveness of information sharing activities and cooperation in investigation, relevant forces of the three countries have conducted annual meetings to resolve serious cases. Cooperation in training of law enforcement officers has been promoted via joint training courses on investigation techniques, criminal examination, drugs traceability and treatment of drug addicts.

Heads of the three delegations

At the local level, annual briefings among and between border provinces’ law enforcement forces have been organized in order to boost understanding between the parties and to enhance drug control activities in border areas. In addition to the annual meetings, the sharing of information and cooperation in training between/among functional agencies and coordination in joint patrols of border provinces of the countries have also been implemented to prevent cross-border drug-related crime.

The Border Liaison Offices (BLO) have gradually been strengthened and have made significant contributions to the prevention of drug-related problems and other types of crime in the border areas of the each country.

Participants at the conference appreciated and expressed pleasure over all the cooperation activities of the counter-narcotics forces and border provinces of the three countries, which have contributed to the success in preventing, detecting and arresting cross-border narcotics trafficker sin each country, as well as ensuring security and social order in border areas of each country.

Amid complex developments in drug trafficking in the three countries and region, the conference discussed and agreed on measures to boost the efficiency of cooperation among the three countries. Particularly, relevant forces of the three countries should promote sharing of information and coordination in fighting crimes as well as bolster cooperation to augment their capacities for drug crime prevention and combat and for dissemination of information on prevention and control of drugs in border areas of the three countries.

Deputy Minister Le Quy Vuong at the event

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister Le Quy Vuong appreciated the trilateral and bilateral cooperation mechanisms between Vietnam and Cambodia; Vietnam and Laos. The joint efforts of relevant forces have contributed to ease the critical situation of drug abuse, promoting social stability, economic development of each country.He reaffirmed Vietnam’s determination to cooperate closely with the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic in the prevention and fight against crime and drugs, for the peaceful life for all people and for healthy and sustainable development of each nation.

At the end of the meeting, heads of the delegations agreed on the Joint Declaration and expressed belief that the 16th Trilateral and Bilateral Ministerial Conference on drug prevention and combat cooperation among Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos will further promote and strengthen their cooperation in controlling drug-related crime and contribute to common effort to prevent drugsin the region and the world.