Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR,
and China Cooperation on Drug Control
China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand cooperation on drug control was initiated
on the occasion that H.E. Mr. Zhu Rongji, Prime Minister of the People
Republic of China visited Thailand during 19-22 May 2001 and met with
H.E. Pol.Lt.Col. Thaksin Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand on 19
May 2001. Because of the serious epidemic of the narcotic drug in the
Golden Triangle, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and China have been affected
by the problem. Accordingly, the cooperation among these four countries
was initiated. Beginning with the Senior Officials Meeting on 10-11 August
2001 in Yangon, hosted by the CCDAC and the Myanmar Government, the meeting
prepared for the Ministerial Meeting which was held during 27-28 August
2001 in Beijing, China, by considering the agenda and preparing the Beijing
Declaration and Press Release of the Ministerial Meeting. Besides, the
Senior Officials Meeting also provided a chance for the four countries
to discuss and propose the future initiatives for their cooperation on
supply reduction, law enforcement and demand reduction.
The Ministerial Meeting was
opened by H.E. Mr. Luo Gan, State Councilor of China and chaired by H.E.
Mr. Jia Chunwang, Commissioner of National Narcotics Control Commission
and the Minister of Public Security. At the meeting, the Ministers:
- expressed
the firm commitment and determination of their Governments to drug control
- recollected
the positive cooperation and outstanding achievements that have been made
under the existing sub-regional and regional drug control mechanisms
- examined
and discussed current drug situation and the practices and experience
of domestic drug control efforts in detail, measures and models for
future substantial cooperation
- reaffirmed
the necessity and urgency to further strengthen negotiation and develop
more practical and closer bilateral, regional and international drug
control cooperation at all drug control levels
- discussed
and adopted Beijing Declaration that guides the four countries' cooperation
in the field of drug control henceforth.
Through the meeting, the Minister
of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand reached the following agreement:
- To make
concerted efforts to promote the existing regional drug control cooperation
mechanisms such as Memorandum of Understanding of six countries
and UNDCP, Plan of Action between ASEAN and China and implement
their initiatives;
- To establish
drug control partnership on the basis of the existing cooperation among
the four countries and continue our mutual understanding, trust,
coordination and support in addressing drug problems;
- To recognize
the importance of high level meetings and consultations for timely coordinating
our positions on major international and regional issues, including issue
of drug control;
- To further
strengthen our exchange and cooperation at operation and expert levels
within the existing drug control cooperation mechanisms, conduct substantive
cooperation and provide mutual assistance and support drug prevention
education, drug law enforcement, information exchange,treatment and rehabilitation,
precursor chemical control, alternative development, and personnel training;
- To undertake
concerted efforts against the trafficking of illicit drugs and precursor
chemicals with an emphasis on joint survey and surveillance activities
along the Mekong River;
- To exert
joint efforts for continued financial, technical and other forms of assistance
both within the countries and from the international community for the
drug control cause in this region, and for more political, as well as
moral support.
The Ministers of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand Governments fully believed that this meeting will further promote the drug control cooperation in the region and facilitate the existing drug control cooperation mechanisms such as MOU of six countries and UNDCP, ASEAN and China. The partnership of drug control cooperation established by the Beijing Declaration and the way of high level consultation and communication would be a successful example to other regions and the rest of the world.
