This was the first time Vietnam was chosen to host the defence cooperation event, Vice Admiral Pham Ngoc Minh, Vice Commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy said in Hanoi on July 18, as he introduced the ANCM-5 agenda. 

The meeting, themed “ASEAN Naval Cooperation for maritime peace and security”, will draw the participation of naval commanders from nine ASEAN member countries and the Lao defence attache in Vietnam.

Different from the four previous meetings, the focus of ANCM-5 will be on raising responsibility and defining the importance of cooperation between naval forces of each ASEAN member, in maintaining peace, stability and development in the region, according to Minh.

ANCM-5 will be a chance to show the role and responsibility of host Vietnam in promoting cooperation between the Vietnamese navy and navies of other ASEAN members, contributing to increasing friendship while building mutual confidence and understanding.

Participants are expected to discuss Vietnam’s initiatives for ASEAN naval cooperation and the exchange of young naval officers between ASEAN countries.

At the event, the participants will register their cooperative activities for 2011 and 2012. Vietnam will host an exchange of young naval officers among ASEAN countries, scheduled for early 2012, according to the Admiral.