The third commanders’ forum of the Gulf of Thailand maritime law enforcement kicked off in the central city of Da Nang on January 14 to strengthen cooperation, share information and maintain security and safety at sea.

Twenty-four marine police and law enforcement delegates from Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Cambodia are attending the three-day event.

In his opening speech, Major General Nguyen Quang Dam, Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard, said he believes that after the forum, countries in the Gulf of Thailand will enhance bilateral and multilateral cooperation in specific aspects, and the law enforcement forces will play their key role in maintaining security, order and safety in the region.

He expressed his hope that the delegations will create cooperation initiatives in dealing with arising issues at sea, training of human resources and search and rescue activities.

Rena Bitter, US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, affirmed the US commitment to giving support to the implementation of the efforts to ensure safety in the Southeast Asian sea for a stable and prosperous future for all.

The enforcement of the maritime laws in the region will make a direct contribution to its stability, peace and prosperity not only for the regional people but Americans also, she said.

The forum are reviewing cooperation outcomes, security and orders in the Gulf of Thailand and sharing experience in improving the effectiveness of maritime law enforcement.

It also creates mutual trust, understanding and consensus between maritime law enforcement agencies of the four countries in the region in settling the current challenges, and identifies common cooperation sectors to ensure safety and security at sea.-VNA