On May 21, General Nguyen Tan Cuong - Member of the Party Central Committee, Member of the Standing Committee of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Deputy Minister of National Defense - attended the 23rd ASEAN Defense Forces Commanders' Meeting (ACDFM-23) with the theme "Together to ensure our future" in online format, chaired by General Romeo S. Browner Jr. - Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Speaking at the opening, General Romeo S. Browner Jr. affirmed that the theme "Together to Secure Our Future" has reflected the reality that security challenges are increasingly closely linked to each other and the responses of countries in the region. Peace, stability and resilience in the region can only be maintained through cooperation, trust and shared responsibility.
The security environment today continues to be complex. This makes sustainable defense cooperation between ASEAN member countries important.
Today's conference reaffirms our common commitment to strengthening mutual trust, improving coordination in action and promoting peace and stability throughout the region, while strengthening ASEAN's solidarity and collective determination in the context of changing regional and global challenges" - General Romeo S. Browner Jr. emphasized.
At the conference, General Nguyen Tan Cuong highly appreciated the topic; emphasized that this is a suitable topic, reflecting the desire for sincere solidarity, joint development, towards building a prosperous ASEAN Community, proactively and effectively responding to current and future challenges, and is an opportunity to exchange measures to promote cooperation in ACDFM.
Regarding the direction of cooperation between ASEAN countries' armies in the coming time, General Nguyen Tan Cuong proposed to focus on promoting a number of key cooperation orientations including: Continuing to consolidate ASEAN's solidarity and central role in the regional security structure; strengthening the building of strategic trust between the defense forces of countries;
Promote substantive cooperation in responding to non-traditional security challenges; research and promote cooperation in new technology fields; strengthen cooperation in education, training and exchanges between ASEAN countries' armies, especially exchanges between young officers, helping to enhance mutual understanding, foster friendship and strengthen the cohesion between ASEAN military personnel, thereby further strengthening the cohesion in future cooperation activities.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong affirmed that, with the role of an active and responsible member in ASEAN and the international community, the Vietnam People's Army will continue to contribute to building a united, proactive, adaptable and ready for the future ASEAN.
