National flags of ASEAN countries (Source: asiapacific.ca)Manila (VNA) – Ten member countriesof the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its dialogue partners,namely China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, have called for closer regionalcooperation to combat terrorism and violent extremism.
CatalinoCuy, Officer-in-Charge of the Philippine Department of the Interior and LocalGovernment, revealed this information at a press conference in Manila onSeptember 21 following the 11th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on TransnationalCrimes (AMMTC) and the Special ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Rise of Radicalisationand Violent Extremism (SAMMRRVE).
Theministers acknowledged the threat of violent extremism and agreed to strengthencoordination to prevent terrorism via sharing experience, information,training, resources and building capability in the field, he said.
The official noted that the ministers also stressed the need to endthe ongoing conflict in the southern Philippine city of Marawi, fearingterrorists might enter neighbouring countries.
They also expressed a strong commitment to ensuringregional peace, security and stability by adopting two documents: the ManilaDeclaration to Counter the Rise of Radicalisation and Violent Extremism, andthe ASEAN Comprehensive Plan of Action on Counter-terrorism to deal withcurrent challenges confronting the region.
Oncybercrime, the ministers endorsed the ASEAN Declaration to Prevent and CombatCybercrime, which includes measures such as acknowledgment of the importance ofharmonisation of laws related to cybercrime and electronic evidence, andencouragement of ASEAN member states to study the feasibility of access toexisting regional and international instruments in combating cybercrime.
Theministers also adopted the terms of reference of the AMMTC to facilitateregional cooperation and coordination in combating cross-border crimes in theregion, including arms smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, moneylaundering, piracy, cybercrime, economic crimes, environmental crimes,intellectual property theft, and smuggling of cultural property.-VNA
