Vietnam attends ASEAN defence senior officials’ meeting
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh (second, right) and other officials pose for a photo at the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting in Phetchaburi province, Thailand, on April 3
Apr 04 2019
The ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting, under the theme “Sustainable security”, officially opened in Phetchaburi province, Thailand, on April 3.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of Defence of Vietnam attended the event.
Addressing
the ceremony, General Nath Intharacharoen, Permanent Secretary of the
Ministry of Defence of Thailand, said together with the regional
economy’s extensive growth and integration, the level of dependence of
the ASEAN member countries is becoming clearer.
The member
countries have more than ever paid attention to how security forums,
like the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and the ASEAN Senior Defence
Officials’ Meeting, play their role in shaping the security community in
the bloc, he said.
He laid stress on stepping up defence
cooperation among the ASEAN member countries as it will help them better
deal with security challenges and build a security environment
favouring the region’s growth and prosperity.
Participants
discussed proposals of the member countries, including the expansion of
direct communications infrastructure submitted by Brunei, the
establishment of the ASEAN military medicine conference of Myanmar, and
security issues and role of the defence force in addressing illegal
fishing of Thailand.
Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh
emphasised the central role and consensus of the ASEAN member countries
which have been prescribed in the bloc’s most common principles.
He suggested the member countries assert ASEAN’s independence in all decisions made that relate to inner security issues.
The ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting and related meetings are taking place from April 2-5.
-VNA