The 17th trilateral-bilateral ministerial meeting on drug control cooperation between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia took place in Vientiane on December 6.
Vientiane (VNA) – The 17thtrilateral-bilateral ministerial meeting on drug control cooperation betweenVietnam, Laos, and Cambodia took place in Vientiane on December 6.
The event creates a good chance for the three countries to review their pastcooperation and learn from the experience in the implementation of thetrilateral joint statement on drug prevention adopted at the previous meeting,as well as map out orientations and plans for the time ahead, said Lao DeputyMinister of Public Security Lt. Gn. Somvang Thammasith, who is also head of theLao steering committee for drug control, combat, and prevention.
Sn. Lt. Gn. Le Quy Vuong, Vietnam’s DeputyMinister of Public Security, suggested the three neighbouring countries holdannual meetings to exchange their viewpoints and experience in jointly addressingdrug-related issues, which are becoming increasingly complex both in the regionand the world.
He reiterated the determination of Vietnamesedrug prevention forces to work closely with Cambodian and Lao counterparts tocrack down on crime in general and drugs-related one in particular for the peace,and healthy and sustainable development of each nation.
As drug trafficking not only affects social order and security, but alsocauses great economic losses and threatens national stability, the threecountries agreed to increase collaboration and share responsibility to minimisecases of this in each society.
Participants recognised the remarkable effortsof Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in preventing drug smuggling at border gates andstressed the importance of sharing information and conducting investigations onillegal cross-border drug trading.
The three nations agreed to focus theirendeavour on realising the post-2015 drug-free vision of the Association of theSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the goal of securing the ASEAN communityagainst illicit drugs 2016-2025.
They recommended enhancing cooperation withother nations in ASEAN and actively collaborating within the framework of the1993 Memorandum of Understanding on Drug Control in the Greater MekongSub-Region to implement the 10th sub-regional action plan (SAP 10) on drugprevention and control adopted at the MoU ministerial meeting in PhnomPenh in May 2017.
Delegates suggested giving priority to theimplementation of measures against the cross-border trade of illegal drugs andenhancing coordination in the field, while supporting the operation oftransnational drug offices and improving the capital of specialised agencies.
They agreed to raise awareness of people in thethree countries about the risks of drug abuse and strive to build a drug-freeborder residential areas and border lines of peace and friendship.
The 18th meeting is scheduled to take place inVietnam in 2019. –VNA
Vietnam and other countries located near Southeast Asia’s notorious ’Golden Triangle’ are facing numerous challenges in the fight against drug trafficking.
The Central Highlands province of Kon Tum and three provinces of Laos and Cambodian do not only share boundaries with each other along edges of the Annamese Mountains but also boast growing bonds in recent years.
The Party chief attributed the achievements in the first half to the continuous, direct, and comprehensive leadership of the Politburo and the Secretariat of the Party Central Committee, and the close and effective coordination of relevant ministries, sectors and localities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering gratitude for Cuba’s invaluable support during its struggle for independence and nation-building efforts, and pledged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba as it navigates current challenges.
Vietnam is a country with which Russia shares a special relationship. In the 1950s and 60s, particularly during Vietnam’s struggle for independence, the two countries forged a deep bond. While much has changed over time, the friendship and cooperation between our nations have endured, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.
For 50 years, Vietnam and New Zealand have worked together to uphold peace and prosperity for their peoples and the region. The friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding Vietnam and New Zealand nurtured have grown from a seed into a deeply rooted, strong, and thriving tree, she stressed.
Since the Strategic Partnership was established in 2020, Vietnam and New Zealand have witnessed steady growth in the relations. Beyond the remarkable 40% increase in bilateral trade over five years, political relations and multilateral interactions, particularly within the CPTPP framework, have remained highly positive.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
At the meeting (Photo VNA)
