Bali Process Has Three More Members

Nusa Dua (Antara Bali) - The United States of America, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) joined the Bali Process as new members.

In welcoming them here on Tuesday Indonesian foreign minister Marty Natalegawa said "the presence of the three new members only proved that we could cooperate closely to deal with human smuggling trafficking in persons and other transnational crimes."
   
The three had been mere observers before they were given full membership for their contribution to the fight against human smuggling and trafficking in persons in the current 5th meeting, he said on the sidelines of the meeting.

Previously only Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, UNHCR and IOM were members of the Bali Process Steering Group with 11 others namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, the US and Vietnam as members of the Bali Process Ad Hoc Group Countries.

Marty said the Bali Process that had operated for ten process was an important forum aimed at settling illegal migration of people.

"Actually it was initiated by Indonesia that has become an important part of the regional framework to deal with human smuggling and trafficking," he said. (*/DWA)