Asembly of parliamentarians of ASEAN countries began its work in Jakarta

The 24th General Assembly of the Inter-parliamentary Organisation of the countries - members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) began its work in the capital of Indonesia on Monday.

Alongside the members of the organisation, taking part in the work of the assembly are also observers from nine countries and international organisations. The Russian delegation is headed by vice-chairman of the Federation Council's committee on international affairs Ilyas Umakhanov.

The parliamentarians will discuss the course of the fulfilment of the adopted resolutions, specifically on combating the spread of drugs.

The assembly is expected to take a decision on establishing an ASEAN fund for eradicating poverty. The agenda also includes discussion of the questions of the ASEAN countries' co-operation in the field of maritime transport, in the struggle against international crime and epidemics, as well as in regulating migration of workforce.

The meeting of the ASEAN parliamentarians will last till September 12.