Minister of Defense: Persistently resolve all disputes by peaceful means

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, stated that Vietnam persistently pursues the policy of resolving all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means, on the basis of international law.

On November 1, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+) took place under the chairmanship of Malaysian Defense Minister Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin.

The conference was attended by leaders of the Defense Ministries of ASEAN countries and eight partner countries including Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States.

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, led the delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense to attend the conference.

General Phan Van Giang speaks at the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus. Photo: Ministry of National Defense

Minister Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin said that this year's conference marks the important 15-year journey of cooperation of the ASEAN-led ADMM+.

ADMM+ has been effectively promoting its role as a policy-level consultation mechanism and substantive cooperation on defense and security at the Defense Minister level; at the same time, it has made changes and developments appropriate to the needs and actual situation.

Emphasizing that defense cooperation between ASEAN and its partners is increasingly substantive, Minister Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin expressed hope that the 12th ADMM+ will continue to be an opportunity to promote more effective defense cooperation.

In his speech with the theme "Reviewing the 15-year journey of ADMM+ and future cooperation orientation", General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the 12th ADMM+ has special significance, marking the 15-year journey of development.

It was in the capital Hanoi in 2010 that the ADMM+ was first held, laying the foundation for an effective and substantive defense and security cooperation mechanism that received active support from all members.

Looking back over the past 15 years, the Minister affirmed that ADMM+ has demonstrated its value and role in regional security management, making important contributions to maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia; becoming a pillar of defense and security cooperation in the regional security structure.

Strengthening strategic trust is the foundation for all cooperation activities.

According to General Phan Van Giang, the world is in a period of epochal change. Armed conflicts, tensions at hotspots, and non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, terrorism, transnational crime, cyber security, and the risk of artificial intelligence abuse.

In that context, ADMM+ needs to make greater efforts and be more cohesive to effectively respond to existing issues and emerging challenges.

The Minister of Defense said it is necessary to continue strengthening strategic trust, which is the foundation for all cooperation activities. Countries need to promote open dialogue, respect international law, independence, sovereignty and each other's legitimate interests.

The 12th ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus. Photo: Ministry of National Defense

General Phan Van Giang stated that Vietnam persistently pursues the policy of resolving all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means, on the basis of international law.

Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam emphasized the need to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), creating a favorable environment for negotiations on a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The Minister emphasized the need to strengthen solidarity within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and its partners; and promote ASEAN's central role.

"A united, self-reliant and proactive ASEAN is the core for the success of ADMM+," General Phan Van Giang expressed.

General Phan Van Giang hopes that partner countries will continue to support ASEAN's central role, work with ASEAN to shape a common agenda, harmonize interests, and actively contribute to maintaining a common security environment.

Based on trust and solidarity, the Minister proposed to elevate defense cooperation to a substantive level, focusing on priority areas and emerging challenges. The parties need to study cooperation in new areas of cyber security, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence governance in the military-defense sector, ensuring that these technologies are used responsibly.

The Minister also said that it is necessary to link improving the capacity to respond to common security challenges with strengthening cooperation in education and training, and developing high-quality human resources. This is a key factor to ensure self-reliance and sustainability of cooperation.

General Phan Van Giang hopes that partner countries, with their strengths, will actively share experiences and support ASEAN in improving its common capacity.

The current security challenges are transnational in nature and no single country can solve them alone. Therefore, the Minister of Defense affirmed that all must share information, experience and resources to respond effectively together.

Vietnam pledges to continue to be a proactive, active and responsible member, together with ASEAN countries and partner countries, contributing to a region of peace, stability and development; expressing confidence that, with goodwill and joint efforts, ADMM+ will continue to develop and truly be a model of successful cooperation.

On the occasion of attending the 12th ADMM+ Conference, General Phan Van Giang met with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Indian Minister of Defense Shri Rajnath, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles, South Korean Minister of Defense Ahn Gyuback, Japanese Minister of Defense Koizumi Shinjiro and Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Oleg Saveliev.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/bo-truong-quoc-phong-kien-tri-giai-quyet-moi-tranh-chap-bang-bien-phap-hoa-binh-2458497.html