Vietnam emphasized the importance of honesty and responsibility among member countries in ensuring and maintaining peace, stability, security and safety in the region, Minister of National Defense-General Phung Quang Thanh said in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the sidelines of the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-9) held on March 15-16 in Langkawi, Malaysia.
The country also stressed the need to further strengthen the ASEAN’s common stance on restraining the use of force and settling disputes through peaceful measures in conformity with the United Nations Charter and international law, fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the East Sea, and supporting negotiators in reaching a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.
At the same time, Vietnam suggested ASEAN prioritize fostering bilateral defense cooperation among member countries and with other partners, Thanh said.
Vietnam proposed that the improvement of bilateral defense among members of the bloc should be increased by implementing trust-building measures, strengthening consultations, sharing information and facilitating high-level meetings and joint activities among armies.-
