ASEAN sets up network for handling new security challenges
ASEAN defence ministers convened their 12th meeting in Singapore on October 19, agreeing to establish a network for responding to new security challenges posed by chemical, biological, and radiological threats.
Heads of delegations to the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting pose for a photo (Photo: VNA)
Singapore (VNA) – ASEAN defence ministersconvened their 12th meeting in Singapore on October 19, agreeing to establish anetwork for responding to new security challenges posed by chemical, biological,and radiological threats.
Top defence officials of the 10 countries of theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attended the meeting. TheVietnamese delegation was led by Minister of National Defence General Ngo XuanLich, who is also a Politburo member and Deputy Secretary of the CentralMilitary Commission.
Addressing the event, Singaporean DefenceMinister Ng Eng Hen emphasised the importance of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’Meeting (ADMM) in the regional architecture as it helps promote strategicdialogue and practical cooperation among ASEAN members.
Aside from agreeing to set up a network forcoping with new security challenges, the ministers also pledged to push aheadwith fighting terrorism on the basis of defence and military cooperation, andcoordinating in joint sea and air exercises to minimise unexpected damage and preventtension escalations.
They also reached a consensus towards investingefforts in implementing the “Our Eyes” initiative on sharing intelligenceinformation in the region.
The ministers reiterated the importance ofsolidarity and unity in the ASEAN bloc to effectively cope with common securitychallenges.
In the context of a rapidly changing strategiccomplexion, they stressed that ASEAN needs to continue enhancing cooperationwith major partners to maintain peace and stability in the region.
Concluding the 12th ADMM, the ministers issued ajoint statement affirming the commitment to keeping peace and stability in theregion and fostering cooperation to deal with current security challenges. –VNA
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Heads of delegations to the 12th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting pose for a photo (Photo: VNA) 
