Security ministers of Việt Nam, Laos and Cambodia met in Hà Nội on August 17 to discuss co-operation among the three countries’ security forces. — VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

HÀ NỘI — Security ministers of Việt Nam, Laos and Cambodia met in Hà Nội on August 17 to discuss co-operation among the three countries’ security forces.

Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Tô Lâm welcomed Cambodia’s delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Sar Kheng, and the Laos’ delegation, headed by Minister of Security Somkeo Silavon, to visit Việt Nam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam-Cambodia diplomatic ties and the 55th anniversary of Việt Nam-Laos diplomatic relations.

He said that the Vietnamese public security force is proud of having Cambodian and Lao friends and colleagues who always give wholehearted assistance in safeguarding national security and social order.

In the fight against transnational organised crime, the three countries’ security forces have co-ordinated to bust many major drug and human trafficking rings and arrest wanted persons.

Amid international integration and more complicated activities of hostile forces and transnational organised crimes, close collaboration between the three countries’ security forces is extremely important to protect national security and social order and safety in each country.

The forces should work closely in rejecting allegations aimed at undermining the friendship between Việt Nam and Laos and between Việt Nam and Cambodia as well as combating terrorism, transnational crimes and other non-traditional crimes, Lâm noted. 
The Vietnamese official expressed his belief that the three countries’ security forces will further their collaboration, not let any hostile forces and criminal organisations harm security and order in each country and contribute to their nations’ economic development. 
For their parts, Sar Kheng and Somkeo Silavon wished that collaboration between the three ministries will continue to thrive, contributing to maintaining social order and safety as well as ensuring national security in their countries.

PM calls for stronger ties

Earlier the same day, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc met with Lao Minister of Public Security Somkeo Silavong and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Sar Kheng.

In his talks with Minister Somkeo Silavong, Phúc urged the public security forces of Việt Nam and Laos to strengthen collaboration to ensure political security and social order.

The PM said the two forces must work together to thwart plots by hostile forces to undermine Việt Nam-Laos solidarity, underscoring the need to stop hostile forces using the territory of one country to hurt the security of the other.

He also called for joint efforts to fight crimes and build a border of peace, friendship, stability and development.

Silavong, for his part, said his visit aims to nurture solidarity between the two nations and their public security forces, adding that the two forces are also preparing for upcoming celebrations and exchanges.

Meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, Phúc lauded the close co-operation between the public security forces of Việt Nam and Cambodia in fighting crime, especially crimes related to national security, drugs, economic activities, cyber crime and human trafficking.

PM Phúc said that amid global and regional developments, the public security forces of Việt Nam and Cambodia should continue working closely to implement agreements reached by senior leaders of the two nations on ensuring political security, and order and safety in each country.

For his part, Sar Kheng said that his visit marks the 50th anniversary of Việt Nam-Cambodia diplomatic ties and the 72nd traditional day of the People’s Public Security Force of Việt Nam, which serves as an opportunity to strengthen relations between the two countries and public security forces.

The official thanked the Party, Government and Ministry of Public Security of Việt Nam for their assistance to the Cambodian people, affirming that Cambodia will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals in the country. — VNS