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 outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
At the meeting (Photo VNA)
