By Marina Abdullah Sitau
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA, Tuesday 29 May 2012 – The 6th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) was held today at the Peace Palace, Prime Minister’s Office, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Brunei Darussalam was represented by Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin bin Haji Umar, Minister of Energy at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The 6th ADMM was chaired by His Excellency General Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Cambodia. Prior to the commencement of the Meeting, the Ministers paid a courtesy call on The Honourable Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of Cambodia.
During the meeting, the Ministers exchanged views on defence and security issues. The Ministers also expressed satisfaction on the progress of activities and development of the ADMM and ADMM-Plus initiatives.
Yang Berhormat Pehin Datu Singamanteri Colonel (Rtd) Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Awang Haji Mohammad Yasmin during the Meeting stressed upon the importance of realizing ASEAN Leaders’ aspiration to make ASEAN an increasingly “people-centered” community. Yang Berhormat Pehin also highlighted that ADMM must remain a strong platform for peaceful cooperation and consultation in the lives of ASEAN peoples across the region. Additionally, Yang Berhormat Pehin announced Brunei Darussalam’s hosting of the first ADMM-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR)/Military Medicine (MM) Exercise next year. Brunei Darussalam briefed the Meeting on the proposed concept and objectives of the ADMM-Plus HADR/MM Exercise to be held on 16 to 20 June 2013.
The Joint Declaration of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Enhancing ASEAN Unity for a Harmonized and Secure Community was signed by all Ministers after the Meeting concluded. Among other significant milestones of the Meeting, ADMM Ministers adopted the Concept Paper on Review of Frequency of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Meeting, shortening the interval of ADMM-Plus Meetings from three to two years commencing after the ADMM-Plus in 2013. The Ministers also expressed their support on the conduct of the ADMM-Plus HADR/MM Exercise in Brunei Darussalam in 2013 as a concrete demonstration of practical cooperation. In addition, the Ministers welcomed Brunei Darussalam’s Chairmanship of ASEAN and its hosting of the 7th ADMM and 2nd ADMM-Plus in 2013.
In the afternoon, the Ministers visited the National Center for Peacekeeping Force, Mine and Explosive Remnants of War Clearance (NPMEC) where they had the opportunity to view a demonstration and various de-mining equipment by the Center.
The ASEAN Defence Ministers also had an informal meeting with the Minister of National Defence of the People’s Republic of China, His Excellency General Liang Guanglie, who is on an official visit to Cambodia. During the meeting, China reassured ASEAN Member States that China would always adhere to the principles of peaceful co-existence with ASEAN, and resolving disputes by peaceful means. China also reassured ASEAN Member States that it was ready to work with ASEAN to advance mutual trust for regional peace and stability. Both sides acknowledged the importance of people-to-people interaction involving military and defence officials.
In the evening, a Gala Dinner was hosted by His Excellency General Tea Banh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Cambodia.
The first ADMM-Plus was held in Hanoi, Vietnam in October 2010 which reaffirmed ASEAN’s important role in security cooperation for East Asia. The ADMM-Plus countries include the ten ASEAN Member Countries, (and) Australia, People’s Republic of China, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Russian Federation and the United States of America.