BANGKOK, Thailand, July 12 (NNN-TNA) – Defence Ministers of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), signed a Joint Declaration on Sustainable Security here on Thursday, to promote cooperation among ASEAN, to counter non-traditional, transnational threats.
In yesterday’s press conference, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister, Prawit Wongsuwon, announced that, the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM), held from Wednesday to Friday, has resulted in the signing of the joint declaration.
Prawit, who chaired the meeting, confirmed that the ADMM has adopted six concept papers, which reflect the development and cooperation, in response to key security challenges in the region, such as Concept Paper on the Guidelines for the Assessment of the ADMM Initiatives, on the Role of ASEAN Defence Establishments in Supporting Border Management, on Expansion of the ASEAN Direct Communications Infrastructure in the ADMM Process to the Plus Countries, Terms of Reference of ASEAN Our Eyes, on the Establishment of ASEAN Military Medicine Conference and Guidelines for Maritime Interaction.
According to the joint declaration, the ASEAN defence ministers declared to intensify their efforts to promote sustainable security cooperation through strengthening capacities and cooperation amongst ASEAN member states, as well as, with the plus countries in response to non-traditional and transnational security threats in the region.
The meeting also emphasised commitment of all parties to work together in a constructive and peaceful manner, for the South China Sea to become a sea of peace, stability and prosperity, through the full and effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.– NNN-TNA
