All partners for changes and cooperation commitment

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Chiefs of Defence Forces of ASEAN countries sign joint declaration of 14th ACDFIM.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and party pose for documentary photo with Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang of the Vietnam People’s Armed Forces and party.

Nay Pyi Taw May 19

It is believed that closer cooperation among the ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces can realize the theme of the 14th ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces Informal Meeting- ACDFIM -- ASEAN Chiefs of Defence Forces: Partnering for Change, Engaging the World -- apart from implementing tasks that are important for the ASEAN, said Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in his discussion at the 14th ACDFIM held at Visayas Ballroom, Sofitel Hotel, Manila, the Philippines, at 8.30 am local standard time yesterday.

The meeting was attended by the Senior General and the Myanmar Tatmadaw delegation and the ASEAN chiefs of defence forces and delegates.

First, the meeting chairman Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Eduardo M. Ano delivered the opening address of 14th ACDFIM.

The Deputy Chief for Staff (Intelligence) of the Philippines Armed Forces read out the minutes of the 14th ASEAN Military Intelligence Informal Meeting; and the Deputy Chief for Staff (Operations), the minutes of the 6th ASEAN Military Operations Informal Meeting.

Led by the meeting chair, the ASEAN chiefs of defence forces held discussions under the respective topics in alphabetical order.

In discussing maritime security and issues in Southeast Asia and ways of cooperation, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said challenges to maritime security are threatening in various forms.Consequently, unexpected situations can emerge such as piracy and armed robbery, terrorism, drug and gun smuggling and human trafficking. Those challenges usually surface in connection with conventional and non-conventional threats. And they are unpredictable security issues in the territorial waters of the ASEAN region. Security measures for the seas and oceans in Southeast Asia will contribute not only to regional maritime trade but also to regional peace and stability, said the Senior General.

Next, he explained the important role of maritime environment in the economic progress of a country, the strategic geographical location of Myanmar's waters in Indo-Pacific region and many economic prospects for maritime trade, Myanmar Tatmadaw's cooperation in regional maritime security, collaboration with the ASEAN countries and Myanmar's cooperation in international maritime issues by opening a maritime rescue coordination centre. Then, the Senior General stressed the need for closer cooperation of ASEAN nations in successfully implementing reforms and ensuring peace and stability. He also called for closer and further cooperation between the militaries in the ASEAN region.

Then, they signed the joint declaration of the 14th ACDFIM after holding discussion on the 2017-2018 work plan.

Next, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines gave a concluding remark and handed over the duty of hosting the 15th ACDFIM to Chief of Defence Force of the Singapore Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Perry Lim.

Afterwards, Lt. Gen. Perry Lim extended greetings. Then, the Chiefs of Defence Forces of ASEAN countries posed for documentary photo, and the meeting came to an end.

In the yesterday evening, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing separately met with a delegation led by Chief of Armed Forces of Malaysia Gen. Tan Sri Raja Mohamad Affandi bin, a delegation led by Deputy Minister of Defence and Chief of General Staff Lt.Gen. Phan Van Giang of the Vietnam People's Armed Forces, and a delegation led by Commander-in-Chief of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Gen. Eth Sarath to hold talks about exchange of goodwill visits between the two armed forces, exchange of trainees, cooperation in security and anti-terrorism issues.

After the meeting, the Senior General exchanged emblems with Chiefs of Defence Forces of ASEAN countries and posed for documentary photo.

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