Ministers Agree on Common Principles to Deal with Security Challenges

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosting a ministerial luncheon, attended by 21 Ministers and their representatives in conjunction with the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted 21 visiting Ministers and their representatives to a luncheon on 31 May 2014, in conjunction with the 13th Shangri-La Dialogue. The luncheon provided a valuable platform for the Ministers to engage in informal and frank discussions on current security and defence issues.

The Ministers held a wide-ranging discussion on key security challenges facing the region, including the ongoing maritime disputes and overlapping territorial claims in the South and East China Seas, as well as the situation on the Korean Peninsula. The Ministers also discussed developments beyond the region, such as the ongoing developments in Ukraine. The Ministers acknowledged that these challenges would require the commitment of all parties concerned to resolve their differences in a peaceful manner. The Ministers agreed that a country's actions and behaviour should be underpinned by a set of established principles, norms and international law. The Ministers also recognised the need for parties concerned to take concrete steps to de-escalate current tensions to maintain peace and stability. The Ministers further recognised the importance of open and inclusive regional frameworks such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) that would promote dialogue as well as build strategic trust through practical cooperation. The Ministers also appreciated the Shangri-La Dialogue as a key platform in generating positive and frank discussions on topical security issues amongst countries from within and outside the region.