Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. (Source: borneoaseanreports.com) Defence ministers from ten ASEAN member states and their partners will talk over measures to boost security and defence cooperation for regional peace, sustainability and development during the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) Retreat and the ADMM Plus which are slated for early next month.
Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein made the statement at a press conference on October 27, highlighting that ASEAN needs a strong leadership to ensure the region’s capacity in tackling security issue, which is turning into a sensitive matter in the southeast region.
Unsolved hidden issues related to the East Sea disputes and Islamic State (IS) threat to the region could become great challenges in the future, he added.
ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN on matters related to defence. It aims to promote mutual trust and confidence through greater understanding of defence and security challenges as well as enhancement of transparency and openness.
All defence ministers of 10 ASEAN members have confirmed their attendance at the upcoming ADMM Retreat from November 2-3.
Meanwhile, the third ADMM Plus themed “ ASEAN- Maintaining Regional Security and Stability for and by the People”, will draw the participation of ASEAN defence ministers and eight dialogue partners - Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea (RoK), Russia and the US.
The inaugural ADMM Plus was held in Hanoi in October, 2010 and the latest event was convened in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei in August 2013.
The ASEAN groups 10 member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA
