Fourth ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting opens in Hanoi

The 4th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM-4), with the theme “Strengthening ASEAN defence cooperation for a region of stability and development” opened in Hanoi on May 11 under the chairmanship of Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh.

The conference was also attended by defence ministers and senior leaders from the 10 ASEAN member countries and delegates from the ASEAN Secretariat.

In his opening speech, Mr Thanh reviewed the ADMM which has helped to consolidate confidence and solidarity in the region and raise ASEAN’s status in the international arena.

National defence and military cooperation has proved to be effective in mobilising all necessary resources to cope with non-traditional security issues across the region.

ASEAN security is an integral part of Asia-Pacific and global security, therefore, national defence and military cooperation between ASEAN and its partners is of great significance. This will ensure all ASEAN members enjoy an environment of peace, stability and sustainable development.

The ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) aims to fine tune a mechanism for cooperation in regional security in which ADMM plays a key role, said Mr Thanh.

During the three-day meeting, delegates will review recent examples of ASEAN cooperation, the outcome of the 7th ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Informal Meeting (ACDFIM-7) held in Hanoi from March 24-27 and the 4th ASEAN Senior Defence Officials’ Meeting also held in Hanoi from April 27-29.

They will compare notes on regional security and the national defence policies of each country to realise the ADMM+ process and will study the minutes of meetings between ASEAN and their partners’ defence ministers (ADMM +) for approval.

They will also hear reports on the results of putting into action ideas and initiatives of ASEAN members such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.

On the occasion, ASEAN ministers are expected to approve and sign a joint ADMM-4 statement.

The ADMM is the highest level forum for ASEAN defence ministers to exchange their views on regional cooperation in national defence and security matters. It is also the highest consultation mechanism for national defence and security cooperation at ASEAN ministerial level.