Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People’s Army (VPA) Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Van Nghia highlighted the importance of ASEAN military-defence cooperation as regional challenges continue to evolve complicatedly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Viet Nam attends 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the 22nd ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting  (ACAMM-22) via a video conference on November 12, which was chaired by Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Armed Forces Vice Senior General Soe Win, Nghia highly valued the crucial role played by the army force in responding the health crisis, affirming that the army is the core force taking the lead in joint efforts of countries in the fight against the pandemic.

While sharing Viet Nam’s experience in responding to COVID-19, especially in localities hardest hit the pandemic, the Vietnamese officer emphasised the motto of adapting to the new normal situation in Viet Nam in the coming time, and realising the dual goal of pandemic prevention and socio-economic development in line with common perceptions of leaders at the 38th and 39th ASEAN Summits.

He expressed his belief that ASEAN military-defence cooperation will contribute to controlling the pandemic and effectively responding to non-traditional security challenges, thus maintaining peace, stability and development in the region.

Soe Win expressed his hope that at ACAMM-22, army forces of ASEAN countries will share their experience in responding to the pandemic as well as efforts to promote post-pandemic recovery.

During the event, heads of ASEAN member nations’ delegations exchanged views under the theme related to the role of ASEAN militaries in post-pandemic recovery proposed by Myanmar.

At the event, Soe Win handed over Chairmanship of the ACAMM and related activities such as the ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM), and the Conference of ASEAN Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (ASMAM) in 2022 to Viet Nam.

The head of the Vietnamese delegation took the occasion to call on other ASEAN countries to support Viet Nam in doing well its role as the Chair of the ACAMM, the AARM and the ASMAM in 2022.

Source: VNA