Phnom Penh (FN), May 18 – Cambodian defense minister Tea Banh said that as the rotating chair of ASEAN Summit 2022, Cambodia is willing to use her role and privileges to promote the peaceful settlement of regional issues, legal diplomacy, cooperation, mutual understanding and respect for common interests.

His statement was made during the ASEAN Senior Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting Plus (ADSOM-Plus) on Wednesday (18 May) at the Ministry of National Defense.

Cambodian defense minister added that Cambodia wanted to see the strength of ASEAN unity and centrality, which is the core element for ensuring peaceful coexistence and prosperity in the region.

Minister Tea Banh said that Cambodia and other ASEAN member states have initiated a number of concepts to promote deeper practical cooperation for the benefit of countries in the context of the current and emerging regional security in the recent issues.

He added that in addition to strengthening regional cooperation to address transboundary pandemic, Cambodia also aims to promote the role of ASEAN women in UN peacekeeping operations, share experiences and values of military history, build and strengthen peace, as well as enhance the role of national defense institutions to support post-COVID19 recovery.

As reported by the chair of ADSOM and ADSOM-Plus, all new ADMM initiatives for 2022 are fully supported, minister Tea Banh added.

Tea Banh continued, signing the Joint Declaration of ADMM and ADMM-Plus is the main concern here as it represents the unity of ASEAN and the practical cooperation between ASEAN and dialogue partners.

In his view, the failure to sign the joint statement could be an unwanted consequence and could become a habit or tradition in the future. As the host country, Cambodia seeks the understanding of all stakeholders and strives to use other mutually acceptable ways to address this important issue for the benefit of ASEAN and the success of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting and ASEAN Plus Defense Ministers' Meeting in June and November.

For 2022, Cambodia has received requests from seven countries to hold an informal meeting with the ASEAN Defense Ministers. However, this flexibility is not possible because we have to adhere to the set principles and ASEAN asks for understanding from some countries plus this difficulty, the minister underlined.

At the same time, defense minister Tea Banh highlighted that peace and stability are an indispensable foundation for strengthening sustainable and prosperous region. Therefore, maintaining existing peace and stability must be the top priority.

On that occasion, Tea Banh also reiterated that due to the recognition of the importance of peace, Cambodia has been sending thousands of its peacekeeping forces to contribute to the UN peacekeeping mission since 2006.

As the chair of the ADMM in 2022, Cambodia is committed to leading the ADMM and related meetings under the theme "Solidarity for Security and Harmony" to achieve harmony, peace and prosperity in the whole region.
=FRESH NEWS