Defence ministers attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore have said that one way to boost regional cooperation is through practical measures like joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The defence ministers from 18 countries - including those from the US, Australia, India and Japan - agreed on this at a lunch hosted by Singapore's Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean on Saturday.
By Farah Abdul Rahim
SINGAPORE, June 3, 2006
Defence ministers attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore have said that one way to boost regional cooperation is through practical measures like joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The defence ministers from 18 countries - including those from the US, Australia, India and Japan - agreed on this at a lunch hosted by Singapore's Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean on Saturday.
Singapore's Minister Teo said: "We might be able to have planning, tabletop exercises so that the various agencies, militaries in the various countries would then find it easier to work together in the event they are mobilised for such an operation. Other possible areas include support operations for maritime security."
While no communiques or agreements were signed at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the defence minister said it is still a valuable forum, serving as a platform to generate ideas which could then be advanced in the future.
It is now up to the ministers to work with their respective agencies, to see how such a joint humanitarian relief exercise can be carried out.
Singapore also responded to India's offer to police the Malacca Straits.
Mr Teo said: "Of course it must conform to the principles we have earlier enunciated - that is, they must be respectful of international law and the sovereignty of littoral states. So from the littoral states' point of view, it's a welcome contribution but it should be in a way comfortable to littoral states."
The various ministers also called on China to attend conferences like the Shangri-La Dialogue at a higher level to present their views.
China is represented at the Dialogue only by senior government officials.
The annual security conference is organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
Later Saturday, US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld called on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana.
They discussed political developments in Asia, the rise of China and India, and international security.
The Prime Minister's Office said their discussions were warm and friendly, reflecting the close bilateral ties.
Mr Rumsfeld will visit Vietnam and Indonesia next. - CNA/ir
