BANGKOK, Nov 18 (TNA) – Thailand has signed a joint
statement on mutual co-operation with the United States and Memoranda of
Understanding on defence cooperation with China and Japan.
The signings of the documents were held on Sunday (Nov 17)
ahead of the 6th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM PLUS) in Bangkok
on Monday (Nov 18).
Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and US
Secretary of Defence Mark Esper signed the Thai-US Joint Vision Statement 2020.
The statement recognized the importance of sustained
security cooperation, including education and training, capacity-building,
interoperability and modernization of defence and security institutions to
strengthen the Thai-US defence alliance, according to Thai security officials.
It states the role of ASEAN-led regional security
architecture in promoting mutual trust and confidence-building for regional
peace and stability.
Meanwhile Thailand and China reached an MoU on defence
cooperation. Prime Minister Prayut
Chan-o-cha and Chinese Defence Minister Gen Wei Fenghe signed the agreement,
also on Sunday.
The MoU aims to promote defence cooperation through various
activities including visits, training and studies, intelligence liaison, news
and information sharing and military capacity building, according to Thai
Defence Ministry.
Prime Minister Prayut also signed similar MoU with Japan to
exchange military visits, military news and information, views and knowledge on
several levels.
Co-signed by Japanese Defence Minister Taro Kono, the MoU
highlights defence cooperation between Thailand and Japan through joint
exercises; studies and research; deployment of maintenance forces and military
equipment and technology; and development of the defence industry.
The Ministers of Defense from the so-called dialogue partner
countries — Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia
and the United States – are gathering in Thailand for the 6th ADMM-Plus
meeting.
This year’s meeting concept is sustainable security that the
10 ASEAN countries look to enhance military security, promote trust and strengthen
security cooperation with the dialogue partners. (TNA)
