ASEAN defense officials at the 12th ADMM(Photo: VNA)

The event drew the participation of Defense Ministers of the ASEAN bloc and eight dialogues partners (Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the US). The Vietnamese delegation attending the event was led by Minister of Defense Ngo Xuan Lich.

At this meeting, Vietnam presented specific recommendations to strengthen the collaborative ties between ASEAN and partner countries. In his speeches, Minister Lich said that regional security and anti-terrorism are key to ASEAN development, and stressed the necessary of maintaining ASEAN’s consensus, solidarity and central role regarding important issues in the region. 

With China, Vietnam suggested the formation of direct communication lines between ASEAN and Chinese defense ministers, holding of the first ASEAN-China exchange of young officers, and establishment of a joint working group.

Vietnam proposed that the US help enhance capacity of ASEAN member states in the fields of sea security, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue work, and settlement of post-war consequences.

With Japan, Vietnam affirmed its support for the implementation of Japan’s “Vientiane Vision” and asking the East Asian country to continue support for the ASEAN bloc in environmental protection, particularly water security.