China and five Southeast Asian countries, namely Cambodia, Laos,Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, have signed a joint declaration at aministerial meeting in Myanmar, with the aim to strengthen cooperationin the fight against drug trafficking.

The meetingin Myanmar’s capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on May 9 saw theparticipation of Ministers of the six countries and representatives fromthe United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The Nay Pyi Taw declaration noted satisfaction over great efforts madeby the six countries and the achievements they have gained in theireffective cooperation within the framework of international, regional,sub-regional and bilateral cooperation mechanisms on drug traffickingprevention.

The declaration noted the surge inmanufacture and production of amphetamine-type stimulants and theexpansion of opium poppy cultivation undermine the regional development.

It also acknowledged that the combination of drugtrafficking and other forms of transnational organised crimes pose aparticular challenge to the stability and rule of law in border areas.

The six nations reaffirmed their determination toovercome the drug problem in East Asia, assuring their efforts toeliminate the drug problem in the region.

They alsoagreed to strengthen trans-border cooperation and share experience inpreventing drug abuse, treating drug addicts and raising the community’sawareness of drug impacts.

In 1993, a memorandum ofunderstanding on drug control was signed by four nations namely China,Laos, Myanmar and Thailand through the coordination of UNODC.

The cooperation was extended with Cambodia and Vietnam by signing the same agreement in 1995.-VNA