ASEAN steps up defence cooperation

ASEAN senior defence officials are meeting in Phnom Penh to draft a declaration on increasing defence cooperation towards the realisation of the ASEAN Political Security Community by 2015.
ASEAN senior defence officials are meeting in Phnom Penh to draft adeclaration on increasing defence cooperation towards the realisation ofthe ASEAN Political Security Community by 2015.

Opening the session on Feb. 21, Maj. Gen. Lay Chenda, Director of theCambodian Defence Ministry's ASEAN Affairs Department said that thethree-day meeting will discuss the draft Joint Declaration of the ASEANDefence Ministers on Enhancing ASEAN Unity for a Harmonious and SecureCommunity.

The meeting will also discuss the ConceptPaper on Periodic Review of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus(ADMM+) for convening ADMM+ every two years.

Additionally, the officials will debate defence-related issues,including humanitarian assistance for disaster relief, peacekeepingactivities, maritime security, military medicine, and counter-terrorism.

Chenda said he hopes that besides fosteringpersonal ties and friendship among ASEAN defence officials, the meetingwill provide fruitful results for existing cooperation, to furtherstrengthen peace, stability and development among southeast Asiancountries. - VNA

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