Chaired by Malaysia, the meeting was attended by all 10 ASEAN member states, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Timor Leste.
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Gen. Chien and the Vietnamese MND delegation at the meeting |
The meeting reviewed outcomes of the ADSOM Working Group, updates on the ADMM 2023-2026 Work Plan, results of the 21st ASEAN Defense and Security Research Institutes Network (NADI) annual meeting, and the 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Meeting (ACDFM-22). Head delegates gave opinions on new initiatives for the upcoming ADMM, draft Joint Declarations for ADMM and ADMM+, and cooperation with partners, including proposed ASEAN+1 informal meetings, maritime exercises, and the ASEAN - Republic of Korea defense industry cooperation workshop. Preparations for ADSOM+, the 19th ADMM, and the 12th ADMM+ were also reviewed.
Gen. Chien expressed confidence that Malaysia would successfully chair ADMM and ADMM+ in 2025, reinforcing ASEAN’s solidarity and collective strength in flexibly and pro-actively addressing regional security challenges for a region of peace, security and resilience. He affirmed Vietnam’s strong support for Malaysia’s chairmanship.
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Gen. Chien at the meeting |
Regarding ASEAN’s expected admission of Timor Leste at the October Summit, he welcomed the historic milestone and reiterated Vietnam’s consistent and firm support, noting Timor Leste’s participation would bring fresh momentum to regional peace, security, and stability and ASEAN’s prosperity.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Gen. Chien met with Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali, Secretary General of the Malaysian Ministry of Defense, and Chan Heng Kee, Permanent Secretary for Defense at the Singaporean Ministry of Defense.
At the meeting with the Malaysian official, Gen. Chien hoped that both sides continue to strengthen all-level exchanges, especially high-level ones, soon organize the first Vietnam - Malaysia Defense Policy Dialogue, enhance cooperation in training, and consider cooperation in potential areas such as defense industry, logistics, military medicine, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief.
The Vietnamese defense leader also suggested further sharing of information related to maritime law enforcement, search and rescue at sea, mutual assistance to fishing vessels and fishermen in distress, and humane treatment of each other’s vessels and fishermen, while supporting each other at multilateral forums and mechanisms.
Hakim bin Ali expressed readiness to deepen defense cooperation, particularly in areas of strength and needs, such as defense industry.
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Gen. Chien meets with Secretary General of the Malaysian Ministry of Defense Datuk Lokman Hakim bin Ali. |
During the discussion with the Singaporean official, both sides voiced satisfaction with bilateral defense cooperation and agreed to further strengthen it, focusing on high-level exchanges, maintaining existing cooperation mechanisms, training, cooperation between arms and services, cyber security, military medicine, search and rescue operations, and research collaboration. They also agreed to continue consultations and mutual support at multilateral and ASEAN-led forums and mechanisms, and prepare for the 16th Vietnam - Singapore Defense Policy Dialogue to be held in Vietnam.
Reported by Kieu Trinh (from Johor, Malaysia)
Translated by Mai Huong