PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is hosting the 19th ministerial-level trilateral/bilateral meeting with Vietnam and Laos to strengthen cooperation in combating illicit drugs, with officials calling for closer coordination to tackle cross-border trafficking and evolving drug-related crimes.
The meeting opened on November 3, at the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, under the chairmanship of Deputy Prime Minister Neth Savoeun, president of the National Authority for Combating Drugs (NACD).
The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van Long, with Laos was represented by Kongsavath Bounlieng, Deputy Chief of the Lao Police Force.
NACD secretary-general Meas Vyrith noted that Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam share longstanding ties of friendship, solidarity and close cooperation, strengthened through exchanges, experience-sharing and coordination in areas of mutual interest.
Illicit drugs remained a complex challenge affecting national security, public order, people’s well-being and socioeconomic development, he warned.
Cross-border drug trafficking and the changing methods used by criminal networks highlighted the need for stronger information-sharing, operational coordination and exchanges of experience among law enforcement agencies in the three countries, Vyrith added.
He described the meeting as providing an opportunity to review progress in existing cooperation, exchange views and experiences, and discuss measures to make joint efforts more active, comprehensive and effective.
In his opening remarks, Savoeun said the meeting reflected the three countries’ friendship, solidarity, mutual trust and shared commitment to tackling illicit drugs, which posed common challenges to security, public health and socioeconomic development.
He expressed appreciation to Vietnam and Laos for maintaining their commitment to cooperation mechanisms, stressing the importance of continued engagement to ensure sustainable and effective joint efforts against drug-related crimes.
The meeting is expected to further strengthen cooperation among the three neighbouring countries in addressing the shared threat posed by illicit drugs. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
