(Photo: VNA)

Delegates exchanged opinions on the regional and international situation, especially traditional and non-traditional security challenges directly affecting ASEAN. They also assessed the outcomes of cooperation, and set forth plans to boost substantial and effective cooperation between the armies of ASEAN countries.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Phuong Nam speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

In his address, Nam said that in 2021, Vietnam will maintain its support for and close cooperation with, Brunei and other ASEAN member states to move on with results from 2020 and realise the goals set out for the ASEAN Year 2021. He said amid the complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, security challenges have remained unstable, including sea-related security issues.

'In the current context, maintaining a peaceful, stable, safe, and free marine environment will benefit coastal countries. To this end, it’s important to strengthen international cooperation and conduct in line with international law, including UNCLOS and regional commitments. I praise the draft joint statement of the meeting which emphasizes regional countries’ commitment to maintaining peace, security, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, building trust, fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea and soon completing a Code of Conduct in the East Sea in line with international law.' says Nam.

Nam said Vietnam pledges to responsibly participate in cooperative activities between the armies of ASEAN countries, especially as co-chair of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM) Experts’ Working Group on UN Peacekeeping Missions during 2021-2024, with Japan, and as chair of the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network’s meeting.

Concluding the meeting, Brunei handed over the ACDFM Chairmanship to Cambodia which will work as Chair of ASEAN in 2022.