Cambodia’s Defense Chief to Join ASEAN Security Talks in Malaysia

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Oct.30,2015) — Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Gen. Tea Seiha will lead a high-level delegation to Kuala Lumpur for the 19th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the 12th ADMM-Plus, scheduled for Oct. 31–Nov. 1.

The visit follows an invitation from Malaysian Defense Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, Tea Seiha will be joined by Gen. Nem Sowath, director general of the General Department of Policy and Foreign Affairs and Cambodia’s representative to the ASEAN Defense Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM), along with other senior officials.

Held under the theme “ASEAN Unity for Security and Prosperity,” the meetings will focus on strategic dialogue and practical defense cooperation among ASEAN member states and their partners.

Topics include regional and global security challenges, defense diplomacy, and joint efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Tea Seiha is also expected to attend four informal engagements: the ASEAN-Japan Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting, the ASEAN–India Defense Ministers’ Informal Meeting, the ASEAN-China Defense Ministers’ Luncheon, and the ASEAN-U.S. Defense Ministers’ High Tea.

The sideline events aim to foster open dialogue and build trust between ASEAN and its strategic partners.

ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN members and eight dialogue partners — Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the United States — and serves as the region’s premier defense cooperation platform.

The Cambodian delegation is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with several defense ministers from ASEAN and Plus countries. Discussions will focus on strengthening defense ties, expanding military-to-military cooperation, and exploring new partnerships in humanitarian assistance, peacekeeping and regional security.

Cambodia’s Defense Ministry said the country remains committed to working with ASEAN and the international community to promote peace, stability and prosperity through dialogue and cooperation.