Vietnamese defence minister urges more internal integrity within ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should exert more efforts to enhance internal integrity so as to flexibly cope with external challenges and impact, Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich said on November 17.
At the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat in Bangkok on November 17 (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)should exert more efforts to enhance internal integrity so as to flexibly copewith external challenges and impact, Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lichsaid on November 17.
Attending the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat) inBangkok on the day, Lich said as the ASEAN Chair 2020, Vietnam affirms its wishto promote internal connectivity, improve the efficiency of ASEAN-led defencecooperation mechanisms, and enhance cooperative ties with dialogue partners.
He laid a stress on several regional challenges, including competition among powersin the region, as well as compliance with international law to maintainregional and global peace and stability.
No respect for international law will make the countrieslose faith in each other, and lead to escalating tensions in a more seriouscase, he said, highlighting that in the context of fierce competition amongstrong countries, international law must be given overriding priority so thatsmall and medium nations will not have to suffer from the consequences.
Lich cited the recent tensions in the East Sea as a typical example, holdingthat international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Lawsof the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982), must be respected so as to make the East Sea apeaceful and stable water with sustainable development, and all countries musthave earnest commitments and responsibility.
At the ADMM Retreat, ASEAN defence ministers exchanged their viewpoints onregional and global security environment, saying ASEAN should boost solidarity,and maintain its central role in the regional cooperation mechanisms to handlewith traditional and non-traditional security threats such as terrorism andcyber security.
They had in-depth discussions on maritime security challenges, including theEast Sea issue. Besides, they underlined the significance of maintaining peaceand stability in the waters to the regional and global security./.
A joint anti-terrorism actual-troop drill of member countries of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+) kicked off in Guilin, southern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on November 13.
Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich on November 16 led a high-ranking military delegation of Vietnam to join the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Retreat and the sixth ADMM Plus that are taking place in Bangkok, Thailand from November 16-19.
Politburo member, Defence Minister, Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich met Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Prawit Wongsuwan and Defence Minister of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto in Bangkok on November 16.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
At the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Retreat in Bangkok on November 17 (Photo: VNA) 
