SENDAI, JAPAN, Thursday 22 September 2016 – The 8th Japan-ASEAN Defense Vice-Ministerial Forum, chaired by Mr. Ro Manabe, Japan’s Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs, was held from the 20 – 22 September 2016 in Sendai. Brunei Darussalam was represented by Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Brunei Darussalam.
This forum presents opportunities for Japan and ASEAN Member States to strengthen and forge closer ties among the countries. During the forum, Japan demonstrated its commitment to elevate the cooperation to newer heights with the ASEAN Member States. Noting the diverse and significant security challenges that threatens the peace and stability in the region, the countries reaffirmed the importance of pursuing robust and practical cooperation to effectively tackle common challenges faced.
The forum also saw to the exchange of views on the current regional security outlook of the region and reiterated the integral roles that ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) play in strengthening regional security.
Prior to the forum, a keynote speech was given by Lieutenant General Sein Win, Minister of Defence of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. In his address, Lieutenant General Sein Win concluded that principles of respect and mutual understanding to one another, in addition to nurturing the spirit of unity and self-restraint, are vital to the maintenance of peace and stability in the region.
Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah also took the opportunity to have bilateral calls with several ASEAN Member States and Japan. During the calls, Brunei Darussalam expressed its commitment to enhance the existing warm defence relations with them.
The forum concludes with a visit to the Matsushima Air Base and a cultural tour.
(Sitting Row 7th from the left) Lieutenant General Sein Win, Minister of Defence of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and next to him is Takayuki Kobayashi, Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defense.
Representatives from ASEAN and Japan doing the traditional ASEAN handshake
Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of Defence of Brunei Darussalam and Mr. Ro Manabe,
Japan’s Vice-Minister of Defense for International Affairs
SETIAUSAHA
TETAP MENGHADIRI FORUM 8TH JAPAN-ASEAN DEFENSE VICE-MINISTERIAL
SENDAI, JAPAN, Khamis 22 September 2016 – Forum Pertahanan Naib Menteri Jepun-ASEAN yang ke-8, yang dipengerusikan oleh Yang Mulia Ro Manabe, Naib Menteri Pertahanan bagi Hal Ehwal Antarabangsa Kementerian Pertahanan Jepun, telah diadakan pada 20-22 September 2016 di Sendai, Jepun. Rombongan Negara Brunei Darussalam telah diwakili oleh Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah binti Haji Umar, Setiausaha Tetap Kementerian Pertahanan.
Forum ini membentangkan peluang untuk Jepun dan negara-negara anggota ASEAN untuk mengukuhkan dan menjalin hubungan yang lebih erat antara negara-negara. Semasa forum itu, Jepun telah menunjukkan komitmen untuk meningkatkan kerjasama ke tahap yang baru dengan negara-negara anggota ASEAN. Menyedari cabaran keselamatan yang sedang mengancam keamanan dan kestabilan di rantau ini, negara-negara menegaskan kepentingannya untuk meneruskan kerjasama yang mantap dan praktikal untuk menangani cabaran-cabaran tersebut.
Ahli-ahli ASEAN dan Jepun juga bertukar-tukar pandangan mengenai tinjauan keselamatan serantau semasa di rantau ini dan mengulangi peranan penting yang dimainkan oleh Mesyuarat
ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) dan
ASEAN Defence Minister’s Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) dalam mengukuhkan keselamatan serantau.
Sebelum forum dimulakan, Leftenan Jeneral Sein Win, Menteri Pertahanan Republik Kesatuan Myanmar telah diundang untuk memberikan ucaptama. Dalam ucapannya, Leftenan Jeneral Sein Win menyimpulkan bahawa prinsip-prinsip hormat dan saling memahami antara satu sama lain, di samping memupuk semangat perpaduan dan kawal diri, adalah penting untuk mengekalkan keamanan dan kestabilan di rantau ini.
Datin Paduka Hajah Suriyah juga mengambil peluang untuk mengadakan pertemuan dua hala dengan negara-negara anggota beberapa ASEAN dan Jepun. Semasa kunjungan hormat, Negara Brunei Darussalam menyatakan komitmen untuk meningkatkan hubungan pertahanan yang mesra dan sedia ada.
Forum ini diakhiri dengan lawatan ke Pangkalan Udara Matsushima dan lawatan budaya.