Vientiane (VNA) – The ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) needs to promote unity and increase its role in addressing security challenges in an effective and prompt manner.
Lao Defence Minister Chansamone Channhalat made the statement while opening the 10th ADMM in Vientiane, Laos, on May 25.
He affirmed that over the past decade, ADMM has contributed to maintaining peace, security and development in the region and has become an integral part of the ASEAN Political-Security Community.
This year’s theme of “Promoting Defence Cooperation for a Dynamic ASEAN Community” conformed with the goal of boosting the group’s commitments, strength and unity and aimed to intensify defence and security cooperation within the ADMM framework in order to counter non-traditional security challenges in the region and the world, he said.
ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh delivered reports on the current ASEAN situation, and the outcomes of several meetings, including the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting and the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Plus.
Participating ministers are expected to approve several cooperation documents within the ADMM framework and the meeting’s joint statement. They will explore regional and international security situations.
Vietnamese Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich led a delegation to the event.-VNA