Cambodian National Assembly on Wednesday ratified the UN convention on transnational organized crime in order to join the regional and international efforts.

Interior Minister Sar Kheng said at parliament that "joining in this convention will help Cambodia to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"Cambodia is a developing country and is also facing threat of transnational organized crime. So it is important for Cambodia to ratify this convention, it will not only strengthen our cooperation with international community but also the peace of the nation and the region," he said.

When answering the questions put forward by the opposition lawmakers, Sar Kheng said that the royal government always committed to making efforts to combat organized crime and has already made some progress these years.

The protocols cover trafficking in persons, especially women and children, smuggling of migrants and manufacturing and trafficking in firearms.

At a Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) meeting held in May, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen even described the transnational crime as "many-headed monster", saying that "with the openings of international borders and the strengthening of economic and social cooperation among the region, we are facing more transnational crime, especially drug production and trafficking."

The premier also called on the countries to work out more clear strategies and targets to combat the cross-border crime.

Source: Xinhua