The 15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and its Related Meetings was hosted by Brunei Darussalam through videoconferencing yesterday, and Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut participated in the meetings.
At the meeting, Minister for Defence of Brunei Darussalam Dato Paduka Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof chaired and delivered the opening remarks. ASEAN Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi discussed the current developments in the ASEAN regions and implementationsof the AMMTC in line with the ASEAN framework. Ministers from ten ASEAN member states also exchanged views on activities to fight against cross-border crimes, regional crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to prevent them.
During the discussion, Myanmar AMMTC Leader, Union Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Soe Htut said the need to eradicate terrorism so that there will be no opportunity for violence in the field of transnational crime; the need to cooperate in various sectors to prevent terrorism as violence, arms smuggling, illegal drugs and human trafficking are interrelated. He added that extremist ideologies are developing as false news spreads significantly faster than true news with the advancement of technology, and it is necessary to increase the efficiency of information exchange and border management in the region. He suggested establishing and implementation of a cyber-security and technology cooperation programme in the ASEAN region, as it has become easier to incite violence on the cyber digital platform. He also advised on enhancing the cooperation among regional countries and the exchange of case information, as well as to work in the field of transnational crime based on the Shared Responsibility of ASEAN member states.
The Union Minister also said Myanmar is always ready to work together with all member states for regional security, peace and stability, and prosperity, and it will pay special attention to the responsibilities and duties to be fulfilled for the success of the ASEAN community-building process.
At the 15th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC), Agreement on Cooperation on Border Management and the ASEAN Declaration on Combating Transnational Crimes in the Post-COVID-19 Period were approved, and the 15th ASEAN Ministerial Joint Declaration on Combating Transnational Crimes, and the meetings with China, Japan and South Korea, and the meetings to be separately held with each nation. — MNA
