ASEAN and the United States strengthen defense cooperation for regional peace

The informal meeting between ASEAN and US Defense Ministers was co-chaired by General Chansamone Chanyalath, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Laos, and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member and Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, led a high-ranking delegation to the event.

Scene of the informal meeting of ASEAN-US Defense Ministers. – Photo: QĐND

The meeting is considered an important opportunity for the parties to discuss regional security issues and seek solutions to strengthen ASEAN-US defense cooperation.

Secretary Lloyd Austin affirmed that the United States attaches importance to the role of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+), considering it an important cooperation mechanism in the regional security architecture. The United States is committed to promoting effective and substantive cooperation with ASEAN for the goal of regional peace and stability.

The ASEAN Defense Ministers stressed that the region is facing many security challenges, both traditional and non-traditional. Based on the principle of respecting ASEAN’s central role, the countries are ready to cooperate with the United States and other partners to address common challenges.

Speaking at the meeting, General Phan Van Giang highly appreciated the effectiveness and practicality of ASEAN-US defense cooperation in recent times. He emphasized that the US has not only actively participated in the 7 ADMM+ Expert Groups, but also proactively proposed many initiatives to support ASEAN member countries. The Vietnamese Minister of National Defense also affirmed that these activities contribute to maintaining peace, security and promoting common development in the region.

General Phan Van Giang mentioned the 5th cycle of the ADMM+ Experts' Groups, in which Vietnam pledged to continue active cooperation. He also expressed confidence in the co-chairing role of the United States and Indonesia in the field of military medicine, affirming that Vietnam is ready to support the enhancement of relations between ASEAN and the United States within the framework of ADMM+.

General Phan Van Giang held a bilateral meeting with Lieutenant General Domingos Raul, Commander of the Timor-Leste Defense Forces. – Photo: QĐND

On the sidelines of the conference, General Phan Van Giang had bilateral meetings with defense leaders of many countries, including Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Brunei, to discuss measures to promote cooperation.

Notably, the meeting with Lieutenant General Domingos Raul, Commander of the Timor-Leste Defense Forces, marked a positive development in the defense relationship between the two countries. The two sides acknowledged initial achievements, including the success of Viettel Group in Timor-Leste under the brand Telemor – the largest network operator in the country, with 96% coverage.

General Phan Van Giang said that Vietnam-Timor-Leste defense cooperation still has much untapped potential. He called for research to promote cooperation in areas suitable to the capabilities of both sides, and pledged to continue supporting Viettel to operate more effectively in Timor-Leste.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/asean-va-hoa-ky-tang-cuong-hop-tac-quoc-phong-vi-hoa-binh-khu-vuc-359937.html