The 20th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC-20) is held online on September 24. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - ASEAN law enforcementagencies should maintain and consolidate cooperation in fighting transnationalcrime, Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Son, head of the Foreign RelationsDepartment at the Ministry of Public Security, said on September 24.
Addressing the 20th ASEAN Senior OfficialsMeeting on Transnational Crime (SOMTC-20), held online, Son pointed to theincrease in cybercrime, fake news, high-tech crime, and smuggling amid theCOVID-19 pandemic.
He therefore suggested agencies step up trust buildingand information sharing.
The official also proposed enhancing joint patrols andcompleting legal documents in order to create a legal framework for cooperationwithin the bloc as well as between ASEAN and partner and dialogue countries.
As host of the 14th ASEAN MinisterialMeeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC-14), slated for mid-November, theMinistry of Public Security is committed to coordinating with ASEAN lawenforcement agencies to address tough issues as well as regional and globalchallenges that threaten peace, security, and stability in the region, he pledged.
The ministry will continue to be part of the effortsto promote a united and self-reliant ASEAN Community for peace, stability, andprosperity in each country and the region, he continued.
At SOMTC-20, chaired by the Philippines, delegatesshared views on national, regional, and international efforts to fighttransnational crime in the context of the pandemic.
The Philippines called for unity in the implementationof strategies to bring crime under control, towards materialising an actionplan on fighting international crime during the 2020-2025 period./.
VNA
