Dr Ng: Exercises Important in Deepening Trust and Enhancing Practical Cooperation

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen attended the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Retreat in Vientiane, Laos today. 
 
During the meeting, the ASEAN Defence Ministers discussed regional security issues and commended the good progress of the ADMM on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. Dr Ng highlighted the key initiatives that had come to fruition and were impactful in enhancing regional peace and stability. These included the establishment of the ADMM-Plus and ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Groups (EWGs), the numerous field training exercises conducted under these EWGs, the implementation of the Direct Communications Link by Brunei, and the recent establishment of the ASEAN Centre of Military Medicine by Thailand.  
 
Moving forward, Dr Ng highlighted the importance of deepening trust and enhancing practical cooperation between the ADMM and its external partners, through initiatives such as the ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise and a second ADMM-Plus Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism Exercise. Dr Ng added, "As the current ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations Coordinator, Singapore fully supports the conduct of the ASEAN-China Maritime Exercise." 
 
Dr Ng and the other ASEAN Defence Ministers also witnessed the handover of Laos' ADMM chairmanship to the Philippines, who will assume the chairmanship of the 11th ADMM and 4th ADMM-Plus in 2017. The ASEAN Defence Ministers also jointly called on Lao President Bounnhang Vorachith. 
 
In addition, the ASEAN Defence Ministers held an informal meeting with Japanese Minister of Defence Tomomi Inada, reaffirming the strong relations between ASEAN and Japan. Dr Ng welcomed Japan's continued engagement of the region, and noted Singapore's excellent bilateral and defence relations with Japan.

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