MANILA (dpa): United States (US) Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday proposed a new defence cooperation framework between the US and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to strengthen military ties amid security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, reported German Press Agency (dpa).
Speaking at a meeting of Asean defence ministers and their international partners in Cebu, the Philippines, Hegseth described Washington’s approach to regional security as "strong, quiet and clear”.
"Strong enough to deter coercion and aggression, quiet enough to avoid needless escalation or public theatrics, and to let our actions speak for themselves, but are clear enough that our friends, our partners, and potential adversaries understand precisely where the US stands and that we will defend our interests and the interests of our allies and partners,” he said.
"Next year marks the 50th anniversary formally of US-Asean relations, an important milestone, and in recognition of this milestone, we propose that we work together to develop a US-Asean framework for defence cooperation, a practical framework that guides our cooperation over the next several years,” Hegseth said.
Details are expected to be discussed next year, when Singapore takes over the rotating Asean chairmanship from the Philippines.
Hegseth said the US approach was based on "peace through strength”, identifying maritime security, naval cooperation and joint military operations as key areas for collaboration.
He also praised Asean’s role in maintaining the ceasefire along the Cambodia-Thailand border, citing it as an example of effective regional cooperation.
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr welcomed continued US engagement in the region.
"We value the US’ sustained engagement with the defence establishments of Asean, as a robust US presence is necessary for peace and stability in Southeast Asia and in the broader Indo-Pacific region,” Teodoro said. -- dpa
