Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia to strengthen anti-drug cooperation

Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia will beef up their cooperation on drug control, contributing to efforts for an ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) without narcotics by 2015, local media reported Thursday.

At the 6th Ministerial Meeting between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia on Drug Control in Vietnam's central Quang Nam province on Wednesday, the three sides sought measures to prevent transnational drug crimes in the region, newspaper Youth said.

Specifically, the three countries' anti-drug standing agencies will establish contacting points, share information on crimes relating to drug, and directly coordinate in fighting, investigating and arresting escaped criminals.

Vietnam will consider helping Laos and Cambodia in the field of training for anti-drug taskforces, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Le The Tiem said, noting that it is also ready to share information and experiences in decreasing drug demand and supply, and eliminating trees with narcotics contains.

Cambodia will host the next tripartite meeting, which will be rotated biennially, in 2008.

Source: Xinhua