Vietnam, Australia hold first vice-ministerial security dialogue

The first Australia-Vietnam Vice-Ministerial Security Dialogue was held in

 the Australian capital of Canberra on December 11-12 (Photo: VNA)

The two sides discussed a number of issues, such as judicial assistance in criminal matters and the activities of the Vietnam-Australia Joint Transnational Crime Centre (JTCC), taking into consideration the possible upgrade of this centre into a task force.

They also suggested enhancing cooperation in the prevention of drug crimes, financial crime, and money laundering; ensuring cybersecurity by preventing and combating high-tech crime; and collaborating in the field of immigration and emigration management and anti-terrorism. 

Speaking at the dialogue, Deputy Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Bui Van Nam highly valued the effective cooperation between the two countries’ law enforcement agencies in sharing experience and information, as well as conducting investigations in major cases of cybersecurity, cross-border crime, and the reception of illegal Vietnamese immigrants into Australia via sea route.

He noted that the JTCC in Ho Chi Minh City has dealt with over 200 cases involving 500 people related to transnational crime since 2010.

Its law enforcement training programme in Asia has opened 47 classes for over 850 officers, including nearly 300 from Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security.

The training cooperation programme, through the Australia Awards Scholarships (AAS), aims to improve the capacity of public security officers in the execution of criminal cases and judicial assistance, the implementation of treaties on extradition, and the transfer of sentenced persons – all of which have shown encouraging outcomes, Nam said.

For his part, Marc Ablong, Deputy Secretary for Policy under the Australian Department of Home Affairs, hailed the role of Vietnam in the region and affirmed that the elevation of the bilateral strategic partnership enables the two countries to further their cooperation in the field of security.

He stressed that Vietnam continues to be an important security partner of Australia in the Indo-Pacific region.

Throughout their bilateral strategic partnership, the two countries have continuously strengthened their mutual understanding and trust to make more contributions to regional peace, stability, and prosperity, he said.

The dialogue was the first of its kind held in the context of the vigorous development of Vietnam-Australia relations after the two countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership in March.

It was also a practical activity, marking the 45th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

The cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security and Australian law enforcement agencies continues to be an important pillar in bilateral relations, helping the two sides exchange regional and global issues of mutual concern.

Source: VNA