Government leader proposes solutions to combat crime in new situation

AMMTC 14 serves to show the nation’s obligations and responsibilities in its role as ASEAN Chair, thereby contributing to the overall success of the 2020 ASEAN chairmanship year. The action also affirms the country’s responsibility, strong political commitment, and readiness in terms of international co-operation on transnational crime prevention and control.

According to PM Phuc, ASEAN members since the beginning of the year have experienced extremely difficult times after being threatened by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This is in addition to serious damage in terms of human and property caused by natural disasters, storms, floods, and spells of severe droughts. Social progress and economic achievements recorded in recent decades are in danger of being brought to ruin, with these hurdles expected to take many years to overcome, he stressed.

"In the context of numerous difficulties, the ASEAN Community continues to maintain and uphold the spirit of solidarity. With the responsibility as ASEAN Chair 2020, Vietnam has accompanied with ASEAN members in actively adapting to and realising the dual goals of promoting socio-economic development and effectively containing the COVID-19 pandemic,” PM Phuc said.

During the course of the 37th ASEAN Summit, ASEAN leaders agreed on a range of measures and orientations aimed at boosting the strong development of the ASEAN Community, with citizens being placed at the centre and support provided for people and businesses to rapidly overcome the consequences of epidemics. These efforts are made to stabilise lives, maintain social order, and restore economic growth.

Most notably, the Political-Security Community represents an important pillar in order to build a united and strong ASEAN Community, thereby promoting its central position and role in terms of regional security matters. During the initial five years of carrying out the ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025, 96% of actions have been implemented. This can be viewed as an impressive figure due to the great contributions of the AMMTC mechanism, the PM stressed.

As a means of building a cohesive and proactive ASEAN that is capable of adapting to transnational crime prevention and control, PM Phuc proposed a number of priorities moving forward. This includes continuing to accelerate the full and effective implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and the Declaration Hanoi on the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025, and paying special attention to building a strong Political-Security Community. This will affirm the role of the AMMTC mechanism in solving crime issues as a contribution to maintaining peace, security, and stability throughout the region.

It is therefore imperative to strengthen co-operation ties, whilst also increasing information and experience sharing among ASEAN members in the fight against transnational crime to ensure security and safety for ASEAN citizens and prevent social unrest caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, PM Phuc added.

He also affirmed the nation’s strong commitment to doing its best to work alongside other member countries to build a peaceful, stable, and developed ASEAN Community moving forward.

Upon addressing the conference, General To Lam, Minister of Public Security, said that challenges and threats related to traditional security and non-traditional security still exist throughout the region. These issues therefore require regional nations to redouble efforts in order to deal with the consequences caused by natural disasters and epidemics.

In this context, the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security has pledged to actively and responsibly participate in ASEAN's co-operation framework as a way of maintaining a peaceful and stable space for countries to focus on overcoming the consequences of epidemics and move towards rapid recovery in the near future, he added.

At the meeting, Vietnam will take over the AMMTC Chairmanship from Thailand - the host country of AMMTC 13 in November 2019.