Thai Cabinet approves ratification of BIMSTEC convention

BANGKOK, December 24 (TNA) - The Cabinet has given the green light to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ratify the Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Transnational Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Deputy Government Spokesman Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd told journalists that the Cabinet, at its weekly meeting in Bangkok on Tuesday, approved the move, as proposed by the National Security Council (NSC). The deputy spokesman stated that the BIMSTEC convention took place from member countries' concerns over growing transnational terrorism crime and drug trafficking threats and see the need for their cooperation against the problems. Under the convention, the deputy spokesman said, BIMSTEC member countries agree to share and exchange relevant information and experiences and to facilitate and promote cooperation between their law enforcement agencies against the growing transnational threats. According to the deputy spokesman, concerned agencies have jointly looked into the BIMSTEC convention and found that it is in accordance with relevant Thai laws and United Nations conventions. The BIMSTEC convention will enter into force after it is ratified by all seven member countries, including Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand. (TNA)