Vietnam has proposed the Community focus on building trust and solidarity amongst the respective navies to form a united bloc capable of safeguarding security and safety in the East Sea and throughout the region, Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Vinh, head of the Department for External Relations at the Vietnam People’s Navy Headquarters, said during a side event. Relations between the navies of ASEAN member countries should be developed in a pragmatic way, he said, adding that this meeting is particularly significant in the context of the association becoming a single community in 2015.
ASEAN naval forces are scheduled to take part in a joint parade in 2017, which is anticipated to improve relationships and cooperation, and portray a positive image to the international community, he noted.
Over the past years, a number of Vietnamese initiatives have been implemented, including setting up hotlines to exchange information, holding regular meetings and the organising of joint patrols, Colonel Vinh said.
These measures have significantly improved mutual trust, which in turn has contributed to safeguarding peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea; and created favourable conditions for the development and prosperity of ASEAN, he added.
During the event, the association’s naval chiefs discussed a number of measures to reinforce mutual trust, confidence and understanding.
