(VOVworld) - A joint statement was released at the 10
th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) which concluded on Wednesday in Vientiane, Laos.
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| ASEAN Defence Ministers signed a joint statement. |
The statement affirmed ASEAN’s commitment to follow the purposes and principle of their Charter which places the people at its center and assures peace in line with the ASEAN principle: “One Vision, One Identity, and One Caring and Sharing Community”. The statement hailed the approval of the “Declaration on ASEAN 2025: Forging Ahead Together”, especially the Political-Security Community Blueprint 2025 approved at the 27
th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The statement map out direction for practical defense cooperation and enhancing abilities of ASEAN military forces to deal with present and future challenges including non-traditional security issues, especially trans-national crimes and cross-border challenges.
The statement confirmed the significance of maintaining peace, security, and maritime and aviation freedom in the East Sea in line with international laws including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. It noted ASEAN cooperation in sharing information and intelligence and raising the effectiveness of mechanisms to build trust and ability.
The statement also applauded the Philippines which will take over ASEAN Presidency and host the 11th ADMM and 4th ADMM+ in 2017.