SINGAPORE — The multilateral meeting between ASEAN defence ministers, Timor-Leste, and United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth on Friday is expected to further strengthen regional defence cooperation, said Malaysia’s Defence Minister, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue here on Friday.
“The meeting served as a platform for ASEAN countries to exchange views on regional security challenges, especially in the Indo-Pacific, and to explore opportunities to strengthen defence cooperation with the United States,” Mohamed Khaled shared in a Facebook post.
He also shared Malaysia’s perspective as the current ASEAN Chair, highlighting two major regional issues — the Myanmar crisis and the South China Sea situation — during his meeting with Hegseth.
“Solutions to these two critical issues must be led and driven by ASEAN through an ASEAN-led and ASEAN-driven framework,” he said.
Mohamed Khaled also stressed the importance of all parties upholding ASEAN’s core values and principles to ensure the continued security, sovereignty, and stability of the region.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, Hegseth highlighted common security challenges and reaffirmed the US’ strong commitment to the region, according to a statement by Singapore’s Defence Ministry.
He said that the US believed in practical cooperation and strong partnerships underpinned by shared values.
The US would continue its engagement with the southeast Asia region and enhance defence cooperation with ASEAN countries, including through the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).
Hegseth also raised cybersecurity as a key emerging domain for ASEAN-US cooperation, such as through the ADMM Cybersecurity and Information Centre of Excellence (ACICE). — BERNAMA
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