Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh is leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat, which opened in Seam Riep, Cambodia on November 16.
In his opening speech, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Bank hailed the practical and useful cooperation among ASEAN defence forces in recent years.
He said no single nation can solve all the security issues by itself. As a result, ASEAN’s role in building regional security has been recognised and highly valued by international community.
Security related issues are the key factors in strengthening and maintaining stability in the region and the world, Tea Banh said, adding that to shoulder the responsibility, the ADMM has made every effort to realise the approved targets and concepts.
At the meeting, ASEAN defence leaders reviewed the outcomes of regional defence-security cooperation and between ASEAN and regional and non-regional partners in 2012.
One of them is that ASEAN agreed to increase the frequency of the ADMM Plus from once every three years to once every two years.
Delegates also discussed and adopted a joint statement on enhancing ASEAN unity for a harmonious and secure community and a draft concepts proposed by Cambodia on an ASEAN civil war free zone.
The meeting supported Brunei’s Defence Minister to host the 2013 ASEAN and regional defence meetings.
A meeting between ASEAN defence ministers and US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta is scheduled for the same day.-VNA
In his opening speech, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tea Bank hailed the practical and useful cooperation among ASEAN defence forces in recent years.
He said no single nation can solve all the security issues by itself. As a result, ASEAN’s role in building regional security has been recognised and highly valued by international community.
Security related issues are the key factors in strengthening and maintaining stability in the region and the world, Tea Banh said, adding that to shoulder the responsibility, the ADMM has made every effort to realise the approved targets and concepts.
At the meeting, ASEAN defence leaders reviewed the outcomes of regional defence-security cooperation and between ASEAN and regional and non-regional partners in 2012.
One of them is that ASEAN agreed to increase the frequency of the ADMM Plus from once every three years to once every two years.
Delegates also discussed and adopted a joint statement on enhancing ASEAN unity for a harmonious and secure community and a draft concepts proposed by Cambodia on an ASEAN civil war free zone.
The meeting supported Brunei’s Defence Minister to host the 2013 ASEAN and regional defence meetings.
A meeting between ASEAN defence ministers and US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta is scheduled for the same day.-VNA
