Phnom Penh (VNA) – Senior defence officials of ASEAN member states andASEAN Plus Three countries have pledged to intensify military cooperation inpreventing cross-border epidemics and promote mechanisms that support ASEAN femalepeacekeepers.

The pledge was made during the virtual meetings of the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting Working Group(ADSOM WG) and the ADSOM-Plus WG on April 20 and 21, both under the chair of LayChenda – deputy head of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence’s GeneralDepartment of Politics and Foreign Affairs.

A press release from the Cambodian DefenceMinistry on April 21 said the adopted documents include enhanced militarycooperation among ASEAN members to prevent cross-border epidemics, promotingsupport mechanisms for female peacekeepers, and establishing cooperation amongmilitary educational institutions.

Itadded that two discussion papers initiated by Cambodia were also approved atthe meetings. The first proposed the establishment of links between theSoutheast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative and the ADSOM-Plus. Thesecond reflected on understanding military history to promote sustainablepeace.

Themeeting also approved a draft joint declaration of the ASEAN Defence Ministers,it said./.