Regional cooperation on border security
Monday, 26 May 2008
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans today met with a delegation of senior Vietnamese government officials visiting Australia for high-level discussions on regional cooperation, border security and migration management.
Senator Evans said Australia works closely with Vietnam on a wide range of migration-related activities, including forensic document examination and support for English language training for Vietnamese immigration officials.
(L-R) Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Secretary Andrew Metcalfe, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, DIAC Deputy Secretary Bob Correll, Senior Colonel Nguyen Van Phuong, Deputy Director General of the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and leader of the delegation of senior government officials, and DIAC Deputy Secretary Peter Hughes. The six-member Vietnamese delegation is visiting Australia for high-level discussions on regional cooperation, border security and migration management.
‘This visit has built on the practical working relationships developed in recent years between my department and Vietnamese immigration authorities, which are evidence of our mutual commitment to immigration cooperation,’ Senator Evans said.
‘The department works collaboratively with more than 20 countries as part of a whole-of-government approach to enhance regional capacity to prevent and detect the movement of terrorists and transnational criminals, including people smugglers.
‘This is part of a regional strategy to develop approaches to migration management in the region that benefit everyone.’
The visit by the Vietnamese delegation follows a number of recent official visits from representatives of the Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai governments to hold discussions with Australian government agencies on migration, border management and identification of areas for practical cooperation.
‘Working closely with other countries on migration issues is part of our comprehensive approach to border management and a key component of the government’s strategy to maximise the benefit to Australia of our migration program,’ Senator Evans said.
‘Australia cooperates in numerous areas, including forensic document examination and border management systems. Australia is also an active participant in regional meetings that have a focus on migration.
‘This significant bilateral and multilateral cooperation fosters enhanced border security and strengthens relationships with our counterparts across the Asia-Pacific region.
‘There is strong interest in the department’s programs, demonstrated by the growing schedules of training, technical assistance and professional officer exchanges.’
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08052.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST