Vietnam put forward many proposals and initiatives at ADMM-7.
On May 7th, the 7th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-7) was successfully held in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei.
Vietnamese Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh (second from right) and other delegates at the conference. (Source: Kyodo/VNA)
The conference adopted three important documents: the Concept Papers on establishing a defense exchange program among ASEAN countries; establishing a framework for ASEAN logistics support; establishing the ADMM+ Expert Group on humanitarian mine action; and the Joint Statement on “Together Protecting Our People and Our Future”.
The high-level delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, led by General Phung Quang Thanh, Minister of National Defence, contributed to the success of the conference.
In his opening remarks at the conference, the Brunei Minister of Energy, Chair of ADMM-7, affirmed the necessity of maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for the development and prosperity of the region and expressed his hope that ASEAN countries would make good use of opportunities and effectively respond to challenges facing the region and the international community.
The conference heard a report from ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh on new developments in ASEAN; reports on ASEAN defense cooperation, the results of the ADSOM and ADSOM+ meetings, the ACDFIM-10 meeting, and preparations for the 2nd ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Exercise (AXH-2) and the ADMM+ Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief combined with military medicine (HADR & MM) exercise in Brunei in mid-June 2013.
ASEAN Defence Ministers exchanged views on regional and international defence and security issues.
Speaking at the conference, General Phung Quang Thanh agreed with and shared the views and assessments of the ministers regarding the regional security situation and the progress of cooperation within the framework of ADMM and ADMM+.
The General emphasized: "Currently, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development remain the dominant trends. This is also the aspiration of the people of the countries in the region; however, the actual developments still present unpredictable complexities."
ASEAN has the fundamental advantage of being located in one of the world's most dynamic economic regions; the economies of its member countries are growing steadily, and the living standards of their people are constantly improving. ASEAN is becoming increasingly united, cooperative, and developing, and its position and role are rising on the international stage. Alongside this, major powers are strengthening strategic cooperation and competition, creating both opportunities and challenges for countries in the region, including ASEAN.
Minister Phung Quang Thanh stated: “ASEAN needs to strengthen solidarity and cooperation for common prosperity, with a focus on cooperation with China and the United States, the two largest economies in the world, which influence regional security. ASEAN should propose a mechanism for cooperation and consultation with China, such as a high-level mechanism (ASEAN+1), and should entrust the working level with researching and proposing this.”
Minister Phung Quang Thanh stated that the situation in the East Sea is generally stable, with vibrant economic and trade activities, but there are still underlying complex issues that could cause instability, and occasional clashes still occur.
Regarding non-traditional security, the Minister cited a recent incident where a group of pirates hijacked a foreign vessel and entered Vietnamese territorial waters. Upon receiving the information, the Vietnam Coast Guard promptly investigated and apprehended 11 pirates of foreign nationality; handled the incident with absolute safety, and safely rescued 9 Malaysian fishermen. Vietnam also cooperates very effectively with Lao authorities in the fight against drug trafficking…
At the conference, Minister Phung Quang Thanh affirmed: “Vietnam’s stance is to resolve disputes through peaceful means, respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. All parties need to work together to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), the ASEAN Six-Point Declaration of Principles on the South China Sea, the Joint Statement of ASEAN and Chinese Leaders on the 10th Anniversary of the Signing of the DOC in Cambodia, and strive to promote negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) between ASEAN and China…”
In his speech, General Phung Quang Thanh proposed several specific cooperation solutions, such as ministers directing increased cooperation in the naval field, establishing a hotline between the navies of the countries, organizing joint patrols at sea, and organizing exchanges between the forces of ASEAN countries stationed on the islands of the Spratly Archipelago, with Vietnam and the Philippines taking the lead; he also proposed considering the possibility of ASEAN countries signing an Agreement on the Non-Use of Force before and during sovereignty disputes at sea, especially between countries in the bloc that have forces stationed on the Spratly Archipelago.
Minister Phung Quang Thanh stated: "Achieving this will be a prerequisite for implementing high-level agreements, aiming to strengthen peace and stability, and reduce tension and confrontation in the region."
The Minister highly appreciated Thailand's efforts in its role as the coordinator of ASEAN-China relations and requested ASEAN countries to actively support Thailand in promoting ASEAN-China relations, including the development of the Code of Conduct (COC)…
According to Minister Phung Quang Thanh, the development process of ADMM is not only within the bloc but has also expanded beyond the region, aiming to connect resources to address non-traditional security issues, such as the five areas of cooperation outlined by ADMM+.
Minister Phung Quang Thanh stated: “For the first time in the history of ASEAN cooperation, a combined humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise with military medicine will be held in Brunei in June 2013. This is a large-scale exercise, with the participation of ADMM+ countries, marking an important development and symbolizing ASEAN's connection with partners in the region. Vietnam highly appreciates Brunei's very thorough preparation for the exercise and will send forces to participate in the field exercise.”
Regarding humanitarian assistance activities and Vietnam's proposal to establish an ADMM+ Expert Group on Humanitarian Mine Action, at the conference, Minister Phung Quang Thanh expressed strong agreement with the statement made by the Lao Minister of Defense, emphasizing that ASEAN countries need to strengthen the sharing of experiences and resources to address the consequences of landmines after the war, for the benefit and future of the people of each country, especially Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, which have experienced many years of war. This is also consistent with the ASEAN theme proposed by Brunei: "Together Protecting Our People and Our Future."
Minister Phung Quang Thanh thanked and highly appreciated Brunei's efforts and role as ASEAN Chair in 2013, contributing to the success of ADMM-7 and preparing well for the upcoming ADMM+...
Minister Phung Quang Thanh's speech at the conference was highly appreciated by the heads of delegations. The Singaporean Minister of Defence stated, "This was the most impressive speech, with frank and constructive views and very specific proposals for defense cooperation initiatives, for peace and stability in the region."
At the conference, the ministers adopted the Concept Paper on establishing an ASEAN Defence Exchange Programme; establishing a framework for ASEAN logistical support; establishing the ADMM+ Expert Group on Humanitarian Mine Action; and on the transfer of co-chairing of the ADMM+ Expert Groups.
At the conclusion of the conference, the ministers signed a Joint Statement with the theme: "Together we protect our people and our future."
The conference chairman and heads of delegations held a press conference to announce the results of ADMM-7 and the preparations for the second ADMM+ meeting.
Later that afternoon, at the Istana Palace, the heads of delegations from the 10 countries attending the conference paid a courtesy visit to the Sultan of Brunei, Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.
On the sidelines of ADMM-7, ASEAN Defence Ministers held informal meetings with the Chinese Defence Minister, followed by a bilateral meeting between Minister Phung Quang Thanh and the Chinese Defence Minister.
According to (VNA) - LT
