Defence cooperation key to addressing regional security issues: Official
Defence cooperation plays a significant role in settling regional security matters, especially in the context of COVID-19, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence, said while chairing the ASEAN Regional Forum Security Policy Conference (ASPC) in Hanoi on July 8.
Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Defence cooperation plays a significant role insettling regional security matters, especially in the context of COVID-19, SeniorLieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence, said whilechairing the ASEAN Regional Forum Security Policy Conference (ASPC) in Hanoi onJuly 8.
He called upon countries to enhance their comprehensive cooperation toprevent the pandemic from spreading, describing defence cooperation as one ofthe most important channels.
Vinh, who is also head of ADSOM+ of Vietnam, suggested countries continueworking together to prevent war, create peace, and build a foundation andstrategic trust to step up cooperation in all arenas.
Besides the pandemic, traditional and non-traditionalও securitychallenges remain, he went on, referring to the environment, cyber security, nuclearissues on the Korean Peninsula, terrorism, and maritime security, with the East S👍ea being one of the region’s hot spots.
ASEAN member states should pay attention to these security matters which may pose threats to regional peace and stability, he recommended.
Large-scale cooperation and trust are needed to address regional securityissues based on respecting international law and via peaceful means and formutual benefit, the official emphasised.
The ASPC consists of three sessions: sharing views on the global andregional situation and defence policies; strengthening connections between the ASEANRegional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+); andpromoting the role of defence cooperation within the ARF framework.
Founded in 1967, ASEAN has 10 member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,L💜aos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam./.
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Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Deputy Minister of National Defence (Photo: VNA) 
