 Minister of National Defence, Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich speaks at the 7th ADMM + (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnamese Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich pledged Vietnam and ASEAN’s support to Brunei on its new role. Earlier, ASEAN defense ministers adopted a joint statement emphasizing on the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the region. They called for all parties to respect international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the settlement of disputes while building up trust, refraining from acts that would complicate the situation and settling disputes through peaceful measures on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS. They reaffirmed the ADMM-Plus’ commitment to enhance operational safety, including subscribing to the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea and implementing the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972. Delegates welcomed Brunei’s hosting of the 8th ADMM+ next year.