Vietnam continues to support and cooperate closely with Brunei and other ASEAN countries to realize the goals set for the ASEAN Year 2021, Lieutenant General Nguyen Phuong Nam, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army affirmed that at the virtual meeting on March 18.

An overview of the virtual meeting on March 18. Photo: admm.vn

At the 18th ASEAN Defense Forces Command Conference (ACDFM-18) chaired by Brunei, Lieutenant General Nguyen Phuong Nam stressed that, in the context of complicated developments of Covid-19, ASEAN countries are facing security challenges, including maritime security. 

“All the members should enhance cooperation to respond to the above issues,” he said.

During the meeting with the theme “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”, the ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces exchanged views on security issues of mutual concerns. They also assessed cooperation results as well as setting out directions to promote substantive and effective cooperation between ASEAN member armies in the coming time.

The conference delegates from the ten member nations adopted the ASEAN two-year activity work program (2021-2023) and issued the 18th ACDFM Joint Statement. 

The Vietnamese delegate agreed and highly appreciated the content of the Joint Statement of this conference which underlines the commitment of ASEAN countries to continue  maintaining peace, security, stability, safety, and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the East Sea, among others.

Nam also proposed prioritizing the maintenance of the central role of ASEAN in building trust among the ASEAN armies while reinforcing practical and effective cooperation via joint activities. 

During the meeting, the participants also considered a working paper entitled “ASEAN Military Exercise” (AMX) proposed by Brunei that aims to support ASEAN armed forces to enhance regional security, interoperability, and capacities through integrated cooperation.

The meeting concluded with a ceremony to handover the ACDFM Chair to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, which will preside over the 19th ACDFM in 2022.