Vietnam’s proposals inenhancing maritime law enforcement cooperation were lauded byparticipants at the third annual commanders’ forum of the Gulf ofThailand that took place in the central city of Da Nang from January14-16.
During the three-day forum on MaritimeEnforcement Interoperability Initiative , the Vietnam Marine Policesuggested that a joint commitment from all countries in the Gulf ofThailand is necessary to serve as a legal framework for cooperationand coordination in handling issues in the region.
Vietnam also recommended organising joint drills in law enforcement,search and rescue and disaster response for law enforcement forces inthe Gulf of Thailand .
At the same time, thehost country said attentions should be paid to several other issues,such as the building of regulations allowing the extradition ofcriminals and law violators as well as the chasing of vessels violatingstate sea territory.
In addition, Vietnamsuggested the involvement of other countries such as Indonesia ,Singapore and the Philippines in the forum as observers.
According to the Vietnamese Marine Police, crime and law violation arestill rife in the Gulf of Thailand , with many cases ofcross-border trafficking, migration, drug transport, illegal fishing andpiracy.
Jointly organised by the Vietnamese MarinePolice and the US Embassy in Hanoi , the forum drew the participationof the four member countries - Thailand , Malaysia , Cambodia andVietnam .
The event aims to review law enforcementin marine security and see all parties exchange ideas based on theirexperiences operating in the region.
The forum isalso a chance to consolidate mutual trust and consensus among countriesin the Gulf of Thailand in settling challenges in maritime security,thus seeking measures to ensure continued peace and safety in theregion.-VNA
