Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia foster anti-drug cooperation

• Vietnam asks for closer regional cooperation in drug prevention and control in region
• Ministerial meeting issues joint statement on drug crime combat
• Minister To Lam affirms police’s determination to fight drug crime

Deputy Minister Le Quy Vuong speaking at the meeting.

Delivering the opening speech, Deputy Minister Le Quy Vuong affirmed that, as the host of the meeting, Vietnam will surely promote, expand and continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperative activities in preventing and fighting against drug issues in Vietnam, Lao PRD and Cambodia.

On behalf of Lao delegation, Lieutenant General Somvang Thammasith expressed his belief that, under the chair of Vietnam, the coordination of the three countries will achieve more practical outcomes.

At the meeting, representative of each delegation briefed participants on its situation and results of drug prevention and fighting. The representatives also highlighted the advantages, difficulties and challenges that are being posed and offered proposals to other countries with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of the fight against drug issues in the coming time.

Delegates jointly reviewed the cooperation of the three countries in recent years. Accordingly, the functional forces of the three countries have jointly solved many cases, arrested many drug crimes  as well as a large number of weapons.

Over the past, the three countries also paid attention to international cooperation with a high sense of responsibility, attended many international conferences, agreed to actively cooperate under the framework of the Agreement on Drug Control Cooperation Mekong Subregion (MOU 1993).

As drug production and trafficking in the region and the globe still remains serious with no signs of a decline, Senior Lieutenant General Le Quy Vuong called for stronger cooperation among the three countries for the success of the fight against drugs in each country.

He proposed that authorised forces from the three countries should continue maintaining and improving their meetings in order to share information and seek measures for better cooperation in the fields.