ASEAN states plan regional immigration database

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ASEAN countries have pledged to create a regional immigration database in a bid to catch criminals and terrorists crossing their borders. [Reuters]

Shirley Escalante

Last Updated: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:44:00 +1100

The 10 Southeast Asian nations of ASEAN have pledged to create a regional immigration database in a bid to catch criminals and terrorists crossing their borders.

The announcement came at the end of a two day meeting in Manila of the regional grouping's immigration officials.

The group also discussed plans for a common visa for non-ASEAN nationals, similar to the Schengen Visa of Europe.

Such a scheme could boost trade, investment and tourism in the ASEAN region.

Information-sharing on lost or stolen travel documents, and the creation of ASEAN immigration and consular websites, were also discussed at the meeting.

The Philippines justice secretary, Agnes Devanadera, who spoke at the conference admitted, there was a great demand for border protection against transnational crimes in the ASEAN region.

But Ms Devanadera said even the latest technology couldn't cope with this demand.

Also during the meeting, Australia's deputy secretary of immigration, Bob Correll, warned ASEAN about the surge of illegal migrants into the region over the past year, and discussed ways Australia and ASEAN could cooperate in the area.

ASEAN immigration chiefs meet annually since the regional group adopted a declaration on transnational crimes in 1997.