At the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat in Bangkok on November 17 (Photo: VNA)Bangkok (VNA) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)should exert more efforts to enhance internal integrity so as to flexibly copewith external challenges and impact, Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lichsaid on November 17.
Attending the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat) inBangkok on the day, Lich said as the ASEAN Chair 2020, Vietnam affirms its wishto promote internal connectivity, improve the efficiency of ASEAN-led defencecooperation mechanisms, and enhance cooperative ties with dialogue partners.
He laid a stress on several regional challenges, including competition among powersin the region, as well as compliance with international law to maintainregional and global peace and stability.
No respect for international law will make the countrieslose faith in each other, and lead to escalating tensions in a more seriouscase, he said, highlighting that in the context of fierce competition amongstrong countries, international law must be given overriding priority so thatsmall and medium nations will not have to suffer from the consequences.
Lich cited the recent tensions in the East Sea as a typical example, holdingthat international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Lawsof the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982), must be respected so as to make the East Sea apeaceful and stable water with sustainable development, and all countries musthave earnest commitments and responsibility.
At the ADMM Retreat, ASEAN defence ministers exchanged their viewpoints onregional and global security environment, saying ASEAN should boost solidarity,and maintain its central role in the regional cooperation mechanisms to handlewith traditional and non-traditional security threats such as terrorism andcyber security.
They had in-depth discussions on maritime security challenges, including theEast Sea issue. Besides, they underlined the significance of maintaining peaceand stability in the waters to the regional and global security./.
VNA
