"ASEAN defense ministers discussed the possibility of establishing a joint peacekeeping network through which ASEAN is expected to contribute to peacekeeping efforts in the world," said Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro.
The discourse on establishment of a joint peacekeeping network was actually already discussed by ASEAN defense ministers last May during their 5th annual meeting.
At the meeting, all ministers agreed to work more closely in five areas of cooperation based on future regional and global patterns and challenges. The five areas of cooperation were maritime security, peacekeeping operations, defense industry, disaster mitigation and humanitarian assistance.
To carry out the peacekeeping operation, the ASEAN defense ministers agreed to form an ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network which would facilitate cooperation among ASEAN member states in peacekeeping operations, Purnomo Yusgiantoro said.
In the field of defense industry, Malaysian Defense Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi appealed to ASEAN member states to start improving the capacity of their defense industry and technology by way of ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration (ADIC).
"The ASEAN Defense Industry Collaboration will be successful if there is transfer of technology and supply of offsets (spare parts) among ASEAN members. This collaboration also needs the political policy from each of the ASEAN member countries," he said.
Singapore Vice Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said the concept of defense industry collaboration was very suitable for the Southeast Asian region.
"ADIC is very flexible, is not binding and is voluntary for each member country to develop their defense industries," he said.
With regard to disaster mitigation and humanitarian aid, ASEAN member states agreed to improve their resilience in preparing disaster response programs.
All the ASEAN member states agreed to intensify practical cooperation in the use of military assets for disaster assistance.
ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The ministerial meeting established in 2006 aimed at pursuing wider security cooperation among ASEAN member states and their dialogue partners in the Asia Pacific region.(*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
