Dr Maliki: Need for Dialogue and Practical Cooperation to Secure a Peaceful and Stable Asia-Pacific

Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman is in Russia from 25 to 27 April 2017 to attend the 6th 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. Dr Maliki spoke today at the plenary session titled "Asia-Pacific: Balance of Interests or a Military Standoff?" alongside six other speakers: Chinese Deputy Chief of Joint Staff Major-General Shao Yuanming, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, Lao Minister of National Defense Lieutenant-General (LG) Chansamone Chanyalath, Vietnamese Deputy Chief of the General Staff LG Pham Hong Huong, Rector of Moscow State Institute of International Relations Anatoly Torkunov, and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Secretary-General Rashid Alimov.

In his remarks, Dr Maliki highlighted the need for regional countries to engage in dialogue and practical cooperation to secure a peaceful and stable Asia-Pacific. He also highlighted the importance of a stable regional security architecture to promote understanding and minimise the risk of conflict and miscalculation. Citing platforms such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting, the Five Power Defence Arrangements and the Shangri-La Dialogue, he said, "It is critically important for us to proactively engage in these multilateral platforms to manage differences, appreciate each other's space, and find common ground in this age where security challenges are becoming increasingly transboundary in nature." In the face of the growing threat of regional terrorism, Dr Maliki emphasised the need for countries to work more closely to share intelligence and cooperate in counter-terrorist efforts.

While in Moscow, Dr Maliki met Russian Deputy Minister of Defence LG Alexander Fomin. During their meeting, both Ministers reaffirmed the friendly relationship between Singapore and Russia, and discussed strategies for addressing the global threat of terrorism. Dr Maliki also met Secretary Lorenzana, where both parties reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and the Philippines and engaged in frank discussions on regional security issues.

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Speech by Senior Minister State of Defence, Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, at the 6th Moscow Conference on International Security, on 27 Apr 2017, 1430hrs