The fourth meeting of prosecutors from border provinces in Vietnam and Laos opened on October 16 in Laos’ Luang Phrabang province, focusing on measures to enhance the efficiency of bilateral co-operation in crime prevention and combat. Addressing the event, Prosecutor General Nguyen Hoa Binh noted that over the past several years, collaboration between the two procuracy sectors on preventing and fighting crime has been implemented in an intensive and comprehensive manner. The co-operation has brought about fruitful outcomes and helped ensure a peaceful, stable environment for national construction and development in both countries, he said. However, Binh added, the reality of criminal activities along the shared border remained complicated, with the dangerous operation of organised trans-national crimes, especially those related to drug trafficking. The formation of an ASEAN Community by the year’s end could create new security challenges requiring a closer connection between the two procuracy sectors, he stated. Sharing Binh’s opinion, Lao Prosecutor General Khamsan Suvong said major challenges went along with the introduction of the ASEAN Community at the end of the year. Trans-border crime would require the group’s members to foster cooperation and enhance the capacity of the procuracy sector. During the two-day event, participants will review the implementation of measures agreed upon in the previous meeting, while evaluating successes and shortcomings, and planning for the future. They will also share information and experience as they prepare for the establishment of the community.-VNA