Laos backs defence cooperation as ASEAN ministers adopt five initiatives
The Cebu meeting approved guidelines jointly drafted by Laos and Malaysia, alongside declarations marking two regional anniversaries.
Laos reaffirmed its support for regional peace and defence cooperation at talks in Cebu, the Philippines, where ASEAN defence ministers approved five initiatives. General Khamlieng Outhakaisone, the Lao deputy prime minister and minister of national defence, headed the country’s delegation.
Among the measures adopted at the 20th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) were guidelines prepared jointly by Laos and Malaysia. They set out rules, principles and protocols for organising ADMM and ADMM-Plus meetings. Philippine Secretary of National Defence Gilberto Teodoro Jr chaired the talks, attended by ASEAN defence ministers and ASEAN Secretariat representatives.
Ministers also approved the Manila Declaration to commemorate the ADMM’s 20th anniversary. A separate joint declaration marked 50 years since the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The ministers agreed on preparations for the 13th ADMM-Plus, scheduled for October 29. The Lao defence delegation was also scheduled to join informal ministerial meetings between ASEAN and the United States, and between ASEAN and Japan, on October 28.
