Special Program to Honor Traditional Performing Arts from Vietnam, South Korea
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Speaking at the opening of the meeting, Lieutenant General Khamlieng Outhakaysone, Lao Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff of the Lao People's Army, said cooperation between the militaries of ASEAN member countries plays a very important role and is a condition for building a peaceful, prosperous, and secure ASEAN region.

He stressed that the ACDFM-21 aims to continue strengthening defense and military cooperation among ASEAN countries, contributing to safeguarding ASEAN peace, stability, security, and strength, in line with ASEAN international standards.

The host expressed his belief that ACDFM-21 would create positive things, contributing to strengthening cooperation between the militaries of ASEAN countries.

Delegates at the 21st ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces Meeting (ACDFM-21), which opened on September 5, in Vientiane, Laos (Photo: QDND).

Vietnamese Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong said that the ACDFM-21 will be a success, setting out guidelines to continue to effectively implement military cooperation through existing mechanisms and initiatives, as well as proposing new initiatives to further maintain and promote solidarity, consensus and cooperation among ASEAN militaries, thus contributing to consolidating peace, security and regional autonomy. He affirmed that Vietnam always supports Laos in fulfilling the responsibility of ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.

Vietnamese delegation at the ACDFM-21 (Photo: QDND).

He said that only by strengthening political trust, promoting solidarity and practical cooperation among countries and military forces in the region can the ASEAN community effectively solve problems, radicalizing traditional and non-traditional transnational security challenges.

The mechanisms and forums established by ASEAN and playing a leading role as well as cooperation mechanisms, international and regional multilateral forums are extremely important, he said, contributing to building trust, promoting mutual understanding, working towards cooperation, and resolving conflicts and disagreements through peaceful means.

Cuong affirmed that Vietnam always adheres to the principle of resolving disputes and disagreements through peaceful means, on the basis of respecting the independence, sovereignty and legitimate interests of nations, and abiding by international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).

Vietnam supports the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) as well as the early conclusion of negotiations for the signing of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), in accordance with international law.

As a responsible member of the international community and ASEAN, the Vietnam People's Army has participated and will participate responsibly in cooperation activities between the armies of ASEAN countries.

The ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces reaffirmed their commitment, long-standing solidarity, common development towards building the ASEAN Community, affirming to join hands to effectively respond to existing and potential challenges facing the region.

After discussing the regional and global security situation, particularly traditional and non-traditional security challenges that directly affect the ASEAN region, they assessed the results of cooperation between the militaries of ASEAN countries, before setting out guidelines to promote practical and effective cooperation in the field of security in the coming time.

The ASEAN Chiefs of Defense Forces also approved and adopted the Biennial Action Plan (2024-2026).

After the meeting, the signing ceremony of the Joint Declaration of ACDFM-21 and the handover ceremony of the presidency of ACDFM 2025 to Malaysia took place.

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