Minister of Public Security To Lam on January 25 asked other ministries and administrations of coastal localities to work with his ministry to stop fishermen violating foreign seas.

Fishing boats in Phu Quy Island

He made the remark at a Hanoi teleconference among the Ministry of Public Security, relevant agencies and the 28 coastal provinces and centrally-run cities. The event focused on ensuring security and safety for local residents and sea-based economic activities.

Lam said it is necessary to promote sectors, authorities and forces’ awareness of favourable conditions as well as challenges, especially hostile forces’ sabotage and crimes, and the importance of ensuring security and safety for coastal communities and sea-based economic activities.

He also urged relevant parties to coordinate better to combat drug crime and human trafficking, smuggling and trade fraud through sea routes. They need to protect fishermen detained overseas while helping locals respond to natural disasters. The relevant sides should also work together to monitor foreign investment in sea and island areas, particularly those of defence and security importance.

Ensuring security and safety for coastal communities and sea-based economic activities is critical to turning Vietnam into a country enriched by seas and firmly protecting national sovereignty in seas and islands, the official added.

At the meeting, participants attributed encouraging outcomes in the work to the Party and State’s leadership, close coordination among relevant ministries, sectors and coastal localities and citizen’s support.

Authorised forces have a thorough grasp of the situation and have given timely advice to the Party and State about solutions to protect marine sovereignty, helping minimise the negative impacts of complex developments in the East Sea on domestic security.

Local administrations have effectively carried out development plans associated with ensuring defence and security. They have also enhanced defence and security capacity and solved many incidents relating to coastal security and order, officials said.-VNA