ASEAN defence ministers yesterday pledged to work together to manage infectious disease outbreaks as several member states continue to grapple with the coronavirus.        

Defence Minister Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich addressed an ASEAN ministers’ meeting with partners on November 18, describing trust as the most important for countries to cooperate substantively and sincerely in dealing with security challenges in the region.

Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich stressed that in the context of fierce competition among strong countries, international law must be given overriding priority so that small and medium nations will not have to suffer from the consequences.