Thailand acknowledges anti-terrorism joint communique of ASEAN defence ministers

BANGKOK, Feb 7 (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister/Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon acknowledged a joint communique of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Retreat (ADMM Retreat) on efforts against regional terrorism and cooperation with allies outside the region. Defence Ministry’s spokesman Kongcheep Tantrarwanich said Gen Prawit who attended the ADMM Retreat in Singapore on Feb 5-7 supported the joint communique that emphasized ASEAN members’ cooperation to cope with terrorism in the region. He said the meeting discussed security situations and challenge in the region as well as ASEAN’s security mechanisms. On the occasion, Gen Prawit had bilateral meetings with Indonesian Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu and Singaporean defence minister Ng Eng Hen. He also attended an informal meeting of ASEAN and Chinese defence ministers. The meeting discussed regional security and ASEAN ministers thanked China for its close cooperation with ASEAN to support regional security. They agreed with a joint maritime exercise with China this year. (TNA)