>>ASEAN Naval Chiefs set to gather

Under the theme “ASEAN Naval Cooperation for Maritime Peace and Security”, ANCM-5 will focus discussions on the current regional security situation, the role and cooperative relations of ASEAN navies in maintaining peace and security and creating favourable conditions for regional development.

Rear Admiral Pham Ngoc Chan, Political Director of the Vietnam People's Army Naval Service granted a VOV reporter an interview about events during the meeting.

VOV: Could you brief on this year’s ANCM?

Mr. Chan: ANCM-5 is a biennual event mentioned at the ASEAN Defence Minister Meeting. It attracts the participation of Naval Chiefs from nine ASEAN members - Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam - and defence attaché from Laos.

The previous meetings were held in Thailand in 2001, Malaysia in 2003, Singapore in 2005, and Indonesia in 2010.

VOV: What is the difference between the fifth and the previous meetings?

Mr. Chan: Unlike the previous meetings, this year’s event will adopt an official agenda focused on important matters in the Framework of ASEAN military cooperation.

During the meeting Naval Chiefs of ASEAN members will exchange viewpoints on the current regional security situation, the role and cooperative relations between navies to deal with regional security challenges in the future.

VOV: What do you think about the impact of diplomacy on maintaining stability, peace, and security in the sea as well as cooperation for the benefit of each country?

Mr. Chan: Maintaining stability, peace, and especially security in the sea plays a very important role as it will ensure security in the mainland and contribute to economic growth.

Over the past years, Vietnam’s Naval Force has actively cooperated in joint patrols with the naval forces of Thailand, Cambodia and hotline communication with those of Indonesia and Malaysia. The joint patrols aimed to maintain maritime security and improve the effectiveness of cooperation between ASEAN's Naval Forces.

Vietnam’s Naval Force has also conducted a joint patrol with China’s Naval Force. This patrol helped ensure security in the sea and promote cooperation between the two countries’ naval forces. It also aimed to build a peaceful, stable, and developed maritime area and boost the Vietnam-China strategic partnership as expected by the two Parties and States.

VOV: What proposals or initiatives will Vietnam make at this year’s meeting to ensure a peaceful and stable environment?

Mr. Chan: The theme of the event means that it is necessary not only to protect each country’s sovereignty over the sea and islands but also to maintain security in the region.

Vietnam’s Naval Force will continue to develop and expand cooperation with other naval forces from ASEAN and the world to deal with challenges in the sea.

Discussions at the meeting will help ASEAN member countries enhance mutual understandings and cooperation to maintain stability, peace and security in the sea.

At the meeting, the host will put forward an initiative to build a roadmap for cooperation between ASEAN’s naval forces on the basis of information and knowledge exchanges. Accordingly, seminars and workshops will be held.

In addition, ASEAN’s naval forces will establish an information channel, provide training to improve the capacity of each country’s navy, build a cooperation mechanism, and conduct join search and rescue exercise. Especially, Vietnam will host an exchange of young naval officers among ASEAN member countries in the first quarter of 2012.

All events at the ANCM will contribute greatly to maintaining stability, peace, and security in the sea.

VOV: Thank you very much!