The second ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Plus concluded on
August 29 in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei with the signing of a joint
statement reaffirming the need for closer cooperation among member
countries.
In the statement, defence ministers from
ASEAN member states and dialogue partners underscored the necessity to
guide their relationships by fundamental principles mentioned in the
ASEAN Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, especially the renunciation of
the threat or use of force, and restraint.
The
ministers also reiterated their commitment to reinforcing their defence
ties in promoting peace and stability in Asia-Pacific based on the
principles of equality, mutual respect and benefit, and compliance with
international law.
The ministers agreed to further
promote capacity-building through greater engagements and interactions,
enhance interoperability via training and joint exercises, and
establish mechanisms for effective response, said the statement.
They also reached high consensus on the establishment of practical
measures to minimise misunderstandings and avoid incidents at sea.
Through the statement, the ministers expressed delight at the
important achievements reached by five expert working groups (EWGs) in
fostering real cooperation among defence forces of ADMM+ member
countries, which has been shown through joint humanitarian assistance,
disaster relief and rescue, and military medical exercises in Brunei
in June this year.
They also agreed to form an
expert working group in humanitarian assistance for victims of
unexploded ordnance and accelerate the transfer process of EWG co-chairs, it said.
Earlier on the day, ADMM+ participants witnessed Brunei’s hand-over of the ADMM Chairmanship to Mynamar.
The third ADMM+ is scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur in 2015.
First held in Vietnam’s capital Hanoi in October 2010, the regional
event gathers defence ministers from 18 member states that include the
10 ASEAN nations and Australia, China, Japan, India, the Republic of
Korea, New Zealand, Russia and the US.-VNA