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Need for Greater Cooperation and Collaboration between Militaries: Singapore Minister for Defence at the 5th Moscow Conference on International Security
27 April 2016
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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen speaking on the topic of Security Challenges and Opportunities for International Military-to-Military Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific at the 5th Moscow Conference on International Security.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen is in Moscow, Russia, from 26 to 29 April 2016 to attend the 5th Moscow Conference on International Security (MCIS). Held annually, the MCIS brings together high-level defence and military leaders from around the world to discuss a range of security issues.
On 27 April 2016 (Singapore time), Dr Ng attended the MCIS and spoke at the Plenary Session on "Security Challenges and Opportunities for International Military-to-Military Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific" alongside four other speakers: Indonesian Minister of Defence GEN (Rtd) Ryamizard Ryacudu, Lao Minister of National Defense Lieutenant-General Chansamone Chanyalath, Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General (GEN) Ngô Xuân Lịch, and Indian Minister of State for Defence Inderjit Singh.
In his speech, Dr Ng highlighted that the increasing interdependence between countries in today’s globalised world calls for greater cooperation and collaboration between militaries. To tackle common and transnational security challenges, he stressed that "we must step up dialogue and practical cooperation" and that "platforms such as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Regional Forum, and the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), allow countries from the Asia-Pacific and beyond to come together for dialogue and cooperation". Elaborating on how the ADMM-Plus has made good progress in strengthening practical cooperation between militaries and on Russia’s contribution, Dr Ng said, "This year, four ADMM-Plus Exercises will be conducted. Next week, Singapore, Brunei, Australia and New Zealand will co-host a large-scale exercise focusing on Maritime Security and Counter-Terrorism. In fact, Russia is one of the biggest contributors to the exercise and will send one destroyer, two helicopters, two auxiliary ships, two Special Forces teams and Headquarters staff. Through these exercises, our different armed forces learn more about each other, build trust and build new capabilities that we need to tackle the threats to our common prosperity". Dr Ng also encouraged the establishment of a common set of air, sea and sub-sea norms, protocols and mechanisms amongst militaries to guide behaviour in the Asia-Pacific region, defuse tensions and reduce the risks of miscalculations in view of the security challenges in the region.
While in Moscow, Dr Ng also attended an informal meeting of Southeast-Asian and Russian Defence Ministers on 26 April 2016 (Singapore time). The Ministers discussed international security issues and recognised the need for greater cooperation to address complex challenges, especially the clear and present threat of terrorism. In this regard, Dr Ng welcomed stronger ASEAN-Russia partnership through the ADMM-Plus. He also emphasised that greater collaboration and more cooperation initiatives were required to prevent terrorism from gaining a foothold in Southeast Asia.
Dr Ng also held his first bilateral meeting with Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation GEN Sergei Shoigu, where both Ministers affirmed the friendly defence relationship between Singapore and Russia, and discussed strategies for addressing the global threat of terrorism. He also met other leaders from ASEAN, including Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence GEN Prawit Wongsuwon, and held his first meetings with the newly-appointed Lao Minister of National Defense Lieutenant-General Chansamone Chanyalath and the newly-appointed Vietnamese Minister of National Defence GEN Ngô Xuân Lịch.
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