ARF Workshop on Enhancing Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Cooperation

The ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on Enhancing Regional Maritime Law Enforcement Cooperation opened in Nha Trang City on January 18. The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and representaives of Australia and the EU with the participation of nearly 80 delegates from 22 countries and international organizations. The workshop was the first activity to implement the ARF Ministerial statement on enhancing cooperation among Maritime Law Enforcement Agencies to ensure maritime security in the region.

 

Addressing the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung mentioned the settlement of challenges to maritime law and order and affirmed the role of maritime law enforcement forces and the necessity for these agencies to cooperate to control, prevent and respond to those challenges. He also confirmed that the ARF workshop has contributed greatly to the maintenance of maritime peace, stability, security and safety.

 

 

 

The two-day workshop which was designed to seek measures to boost regional law enforcement cooperation to tackle challenges on the sea included 3 discussion sessions on such main issues as maritime security challenges, illegal fishing, destroyed marine environment and ecosystem, and maritime crimes, importance of enhancing regional maritime law enforcement cooperation, etc. Participants in the workshop gave suggestions on the cooperation method among maritime law enforcement agencies in the region.

 

Founded in 1994, the ARF aims to build trust and foster dialogue in the region with ASEAN. 27 countries and international organizations have taken part in this forum so far and Vietnam is one of the ARF founders.

 

Nguyen Vu

Translated by N.T