Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh has highlighted the need to promote cooperation activities within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) with ASEAN playing the central role.
Speaking at the second ADMM+ in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on August 29, Minister Thanh cited a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in Brunei last June as an example of the benefits from the ASEAN members working together.
He suggested the promotion of naval partnerships in the region through joint patrols, exchanges and establishment of hotlines between naval forces and defence officials of ADMM+ member countries.
Vietnam is ready to sign a commitment on not using or threatening to use violence, he stated.
He called on regional countries to strengthen cooperation during rescue missions for ships and people in distress at sea and to partner with each other in combating pirates.
“Vietnam welcomes ships from ADMM+ member countries to visit its seaports”, he said.
While applauding the international support for Vietnam’s initiative on humanitarian mine action, the minister suggested countries, especially the US, take a bigger role in clearing bombs and mines remaining from the war in the country.
According to Thanh, Vietnam now needs advice and material assistance as it prepares to join United Nations peace keeping missions.
Regarding the regional situation, Minister Thanh pointed out that in the context of the global economic downturn, the Asian-Pacific has still seen emerging economies, with many maintaining a high growth rate and drawing investment from of other countries worldwide.
Despite efforts to ensure peace and stability in political security, the region still faces disputes at sea and on land as well as non-traditional threats such as drug trafficking and network security issues, he said.
He called on countries, especially China and the US, to build strategic trust and enhance cooperation activities to maintain regional peace and stability.
On the East Sea dispute, the Vietnamese minister voiced his view that countries should settle dispute peacefully via dialogue on the basis of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) and the Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership, looking towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), which ensures maritime security and safety.
General Thanh also used the occasion to reiterate Vietnam’s stance of supporting denuclearisation in the Korean peninsula through six-party talks and the establishment of a stable environment in the region.
At the meeting, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Nyan Lynn delivered a report on recent developments in the ten-member group and within the framework of the ADMM+.
He spoke highly of the settlement of dispute in the East Sea through dialogue and the implementation of the DOC, towards the formation of the COC.
The ADMM+ closed with a ceremony to hand over the ADMM Chairmanship to Myanmar, which will also assume the ASEAN Chair next year.
Later, the ministers signed a joint statement under which they reached a consensus on some issues related to the establishment of a ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action.
The same day, Defence Minister Thanh held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith, who said Australia is willing to share experience with Vietnam and assist the country in implementing its initiative on humanitarian mine action.
Australia also pledges more scholarships for Vietnamese military officers and promised to dispatch teachers of English to the country.-VNA
Speaking at the second ADMM+ in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on August 29, Minister Thanh cited a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in Brunei last June as an example of the benefits from the ASEAN members working together.
He suggested the promotion of naval partnerships in the region through joint patrols, exchanges and establishment of hotlines between naval forces and defence officials of ADMM+ member countries.
Vietnam is ready to sign a commitment on not using or threatening to use violence, he stated.
He called on regional countries to strengthen cooperation during rescue missions for ships and people in distress at sea and to partner with each other in combating pirates.
“Vietnam welcomes ships from ADMM+ member countries to visit its seaports”, he said.
While applauding the international support for Vietnam’s initiative on humanitarian mine action, the minister suggested countries, especially the US, take a bigger role in clearing bombs and mines remaining from the war in the country.
According to Thanh, Vietnam now needs advice and material assistance as it prepares to join United Nations peace keeping missions.
Regarding the regional situation, Minister Thanh pointed out that in the context of the global economic downturn, the Asian-Pacific has still seen emerging economies, with many maintaining a high growth rate and drawing investment from of other countries worldwide.
Despite efforts to ensure peace and stability in political security, the region still faces disputes at sea and on land as well as non-traditional threats such as drug trafficking and network security issues, he said.
He called on countries, especially China and the US, to build strategic trust and enhance cooperation activities to maintain regional peace and stability.
On the East Sea dispute, the Vietnamese minister voiced his view that countries should settle dispute peacefully via dialogue on the basis of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) and the Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership, looking towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), which ensures maritime security and safety.
General Thanh also used the occasion to reiterate Vietnam’s stance of supporting denuclearisation in the Korean peninsula through six-party talks and the establishment of a stable environment in the region.
At the meeting, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Nyan Lynn delivered a report on recent developments in the ten-member group and within the framework of the ADMM+.
He spoke highly of the settlement of dispute in the East Sea through dialogue and the implementation of the DOC, towards the formation of the COC.
The ADMM+ closed with a ceremony to hand over the ADMM Chairmanship to Myanmar, which will also assume the ASEAN Chair next year.
Later, the ministers signed a joint statement under which they reached a consensus on some issues related to the establishment of a ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action.
The same day, Defence Minister Thanh held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith, who said Australia is willing to share experience with Vietnam and assist the country in implementing its initiative on humanitarian mine action.
Australia also pledges more scholarships for Vietnamese military officers and promised to dispatch teachers of English to the country.-VNA
