New ASEAN security hotline launched at 11th ADMM & 4th ADMM-Plus

BANGKOK, October 24 (TNA) - Thai Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also Defence Minister, has joined his counterparts from other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to launch a new ASEAN security hotline and to sign a joint declaration of the ASEAN defence ministers on regional cooperation to cope with global changes and to participate in relevant global issues. Defence Ministry Spokesman Lieutenant General Kongcheep Tantrawanit told journalists on October 23 that the activities were carried out after the end of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM), held in the Philippines' Pampanga Province. The spokesman said key issues included in the declaration are an endorsed three-year action plan (2017-2019) on jointly maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom, while also adhering to the principle of air and sea travel liberty in and above the South China Sea. Besides, a statement on the need for a cooperative restraint in activities that cause problems on the observation of laws and diplomatic procedures and on the promotion and creation of trust and confidence among ASEAN member countries, as well as on the support of the utilization of resources and military capabilities in a combined response of regional disasters through joint military logistics and medical teams is included in the joint declaration. According to the spokesman, issues on steady cooperation on national defence through joint actions via the ASEAN military preparedness, a regional direct communication system, as well as joint marine and aerial operations and joint plans against all forms of transnational terrorism with a focus on joint support for the need to maintain peace and stability in the region are also part of the joint declaration. The spokesman noted that an agreement on the joint exploration of regional initiatives within the cooperation framework of ASEAN Defence Ministries and the Chief Services Officer (CSO) in new forms of regional security is another issue included in the joint declaration. The deputy prime minister and defence minister led a Thai delegation to attend the 11th ADMM & the 4th ADMM-Plus in the Philippines during October 22-24, chaired by Philippine Secretary of National Defense Major General Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana. The spokesman stated that the Thai deputy premier and defence minister also held bilateral talks with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Major General Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana, during which they praised long standing friendship of the Philippines and Thailand, the establishment of the ASEAN Community (AC) both Manila and Bangkok participate in the success together with eight other ASEAN member countries and the strengthened military cooperation between the two ASEAN countries. The Thai delegates is also scheduled to discuss military and security cooperation in the region with their counterparts from the 10-member ASEAN bloc's dialogues partners, including the United States, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan and South Korea. "For the 4th ADMM-Plus, its agenda also include discussions and shared views on remaining security challenges in the region and security initiatives to be jointly implemented by ASEAN and other regional groups to cope with security challenges more efficiently", the spokesman revealed. (TNA)