Defence Ministers hold bilateral meeting at ADMM

On August 28, in Bandar Seri Begawan, the ASEAN Defence Ministers held the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Retreat (ADMM Retreat) and an informal ASEAN-US meeting.

Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh (second from the right) with heads of delegations from other countries at the conference. (Photo: THX/VNA)

The high-level Vietnamese military delegation, led by General Phung Quang Thanh, Minister of National Defence, attended these conferences.

At the ADMM Retreat, the ministers focused their discussions on regional and international security and defense issues, emphasizing the importance of defense cooperation in the goal of building the ASEAN Political-Security Community by 2015.

The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to jointly address security and defense challenges through cooperation within the ADMM and ADMM+ (ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus) mechanisms; and agreed to enhance cooperation in addressing non-traditional security challenges such as in the areas of humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime security.

The conference also focused on discussing ways to develop and strengthen the ADMM and ADMM+ processes. Ministers noted that many new areas, such as cybersecurity, also need attention. They also agreed to strengthen practical measures to build trust, such as opening communication lines to reduce the risk of incidents, particularly at sea. The conference also assessed the growing relationship between militaries as a key driver of defense cooperation. Ministers also emphasized the importance of ASEAN centrality in promoting ADMM+.

On the sidelines of the ADMM Retreat, regional defense ministers also held an informal ASEAN-US meeting.

During the meeting, US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel praised Brunei's role as host of the second ADMM+ meeting; presented several international issues, affirming that despite financial difficulties due to the economic crisis, the United States continues to pursue its rebalancing policy in the Asia-Pacific region; the US desires cooperation with ASEAN countries in various fields, supporting a regional cooperation mechanism with ASEAN playing a central role. The US hopes that disputes in the South China Sea will be resolved peacefully and that it will continue to contribute to peace and stability in the region.

In addition, Defense Secretary Hagel also formally invited the defense ministers of ASEAN countries to attend an informal meeting with the US Secretary of Defense in the near future.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister Phung Quang Thanh expressed Vietnam's welcome to the US policy of contributing to maintaining peace, stability, and ensuring maritime security and safety in the region. Vietnam also hopes that the US will continue to participate in the process of addressing the consequences of the war in Vietnam.

Also within the framework of ADMM+, on the afternoon of August 28, Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh held bilateral meetings with US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel, Japanese Minister of Defence Itsunori Onodera, South Korean Minister of Defence Kim Kwan-jin, and Malaysian Minister of Defence Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Husein.

During a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, Minister Phung Quang Thanh affirmed that Vietnam values ​​its comprehensive cooperation with the United States in many areas, including defense cooperation.

Minister Phung Quang Thanh mentioned that President Truong Tan Sang's recent visit to the United States opened a new framework for Vietnam-US cooperation as the two countries established a comprehensive partnership, and expressed his hope that the two countries would continue to develop this relationship for the benefit of their peoples.

Regarding specific issues, Minister Phung Quang Thanh affirmed that Vietnam will continue to promote the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on promoting defense cooperation signed between the two countries, focusing on addressing the consequences of war. The Minister emphasized that Vietnam will continue to facilitate the United States in resolving the MIA issue, and requested that the United States also continue to participate in addressing the consequences of war in Vietnam, including providing information on Vietnamese soldiers who went missing during the war.

Secretary Chuck Hagel pledged that the United States would continue to cooperate in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on promoting Vietnam-U.S. defense cooperation, assisting Vietnam in demining and decontamination, and supporting Vietnam's participation in peacekeeping operations.

During a bilateral meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, the two ministers expressed satisfaction with the progress in bilateral cooperation in general and defense cooperation in particular. Vietnam and Japan have established a strategic partnership, providing a foundation for further strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation. Both sides have exchanged numerous high-level delegations in recent times to enhance cooperation in the defense sector.

Minister Phung Quang Thanh expressed his gratitude for the ODA assistance that Japan has provided to Vietnam in the past, and hoped to continue developing cooperative relations in many areas, including defense cooperation with Japan.

During a bilateral meeting with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin, Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh affirmed that Vietnam and South Korea have close relations; the two countries are strategic partners. Over the past period, South Korea has assisted Vietnam in building its coast guard force, shared experience in participating in United Nations peacekeeping forces, and provided scholarships for training officers of the Vietnam People's Army...

Building on that positive relationship, Vietnam hopes for closer defense cooperation with South Korea, and increased exchanges of visits. On this occasion, Minister Phung Quang Thanh also extended an invitation to the South Korean Minister of Defense to visit Vietnam; the South Korean Minister of Defense happily accepted and also extended an invitation to Minister Phung Quang Thanh to visit South Korea.

During a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Defence Minister Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Husein, the two ministers expressed satisfaction with the close and friendly relationship between Vietnam and Malaysia. In light of regional security challenges, the two ministers shared the view that enhanced intra-ASEAN cooperation is necessary to maintain the unity and strength of the Association.

Minister Phung Quang Thanh affirmed that "countries need to maintain their independent and self-reliant spirit, not allowing themselves to be divided or manipulated in a way that weakens the Association's strength. Based on national interests and regional interests, countries need to continue to cooperate more closely in various fields, including defense cooperation, contributing to the process of building ASEAN into a strong organization with an important role in regional and international security issues."

Minister Phung Quang Thanh also extended an invitation to the Malaysian Minister of Defence to visit Vietnam; Malaysian Defence Minister Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Husein happily accepted the invitation.

According to the plan, on August 29, the defense ministers of ASEAN countries, along with senior defense officials from eight dialogue partner countries, will attend ADMM+.

Following its successful inaugural meeting in Vietnam in 2010, ADMM+ has been highly regarded and has become a tool for connecting ASEAN dialogue partners to engage in dialogue and cooperation in the field of defense and security, aiming to ensure peace, stability, and development in the region, towards the goal of establishing the ASEAN Community by 2015.

According to VNA - LT