Strengthening ASEAN defense cooperation

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

High-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense at the 12th ADMM+. (Photo: Vien Luyen - VNA)

The conference was attended by Defense Ministers, representatives of the Ministry of Defense of ASEAN countries and 8 partner countries including: Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States. General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Secretary of the Central Military Commission, Minister of Defense led a high-ranking delegation of the Ministry of Defense of Vietnam to attend the conference.

At the conference, General Phan Van Giang emphasized that the 12th ADMM+ has special significance, marking 15 years of development. ADMM+ has demonstrated its value and role in regional security management, making an important contribution to maintaining peace and stability in Southeast Asia.

According to General Phan Van Giang, the world is in a period of epochal change. ADMM+ needs to make greater efforts and unite to respond more effectively to existing issues and emerging challenges; continue to consolidate strategic trust; strengthen solidarity; promote ASEAN's central role; raise the level of substantive defense cooperation; develop high-quality human resources, etc.

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, 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 1982).

On the same day, the handover ceremony of the ADMM and ADMM+ Chairmanship was solemnly held in Kuala Lumpur. The Philippine Department of National Defense is the Chairman of ADMM and ADMM+ in 2026.

On the occasion of attending the 12th ADMM+, General Phan Van Giang had sideline meetings with the US Secretary of War, Indian Defense Minister, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister, South Korean Defense Minister, Japanese Defense Minister and Russian Deputy Defense Minister; and discussed bilateral defense cooperation.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/tang-cuong-hop-tac-quoc-phong-asean-post919916.html