The chiefs of Asean’s defence forces reached the agreement in their joint statement following their 13th informal meeting.

Their continuing cooperation, they said in the joint statement, is based on the principles of respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, consensus-decision making, participation on the basis of a flexible, voluntary and non-binding nature, assets remaining under national command and control and at a pace comfortable to all. This would promote mutual trust, confidence and capacities in addressing regional non-traditional security challenges in an effective and timely manner.

The Asean defence chiefs acknowledged the complexity of non-traditional security challenges including natural and man-made disasters, climate change, transnational challenges, drug and human trafficking, cyber security, maritime security, and terrorism – all of which pose threats to regional peace, stability, security and prosperity.

The y said they are “reaffirming Asean militaries’ roles, commitment and collective responsibilities in responding to these security challenges”.

They also recognised the significance and values of capacity, trust and confidence building at a pace comfortable to all through dialogues, and military-to-military interaction activities to deepen defence cooperative ties between and amongstAsean defence establishments in order to enhance capabilities in responding to security threats in an effective and timely manner.

The defence chiefs welcomed the progress in military-to-military cooperation and its contribution to maintaining regional peace, security and stability.

They reaffirmed the need for a peaceful environment in the South China Sea for the enhancement of peace, stability, economic growth and prosperity in the region.

In this regard, they have reaffirmed the need to fully and effectively implement the 2002 Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and work towards the early conclusion of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

The defence chiefs also welcomed the combined exercises to be conducted in 2016 under the framework of the Asean Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus Experts’ Working Groups on the following: Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine (co-organised by Laos, Japan, Thailand and Russia); Counter Terrorism and Maritime Security (co-organised by Singapore, Australia, Brunei and New Zealand); and Peacekeeping Operations and Humanitarian Mine Action (co-organised by Cambodia, Republic of Korea, Vietnam and India).