Information sharing and closer defence ties agreed at regional terrorism meeting

The inaugural Sub-Regional Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Counter-Terrorism concluded in Perth today.

Minister for Defence Marise Payne hosted Second Minister of Defence Pehin Dato Haji Halbi bin Mohd Yussof from Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence Ryamizard Ryacudu from Indonesian, Deputy Minister of Defence HE Dato’ Sri Mohd Johari bin Baharum from Malaysia,  Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana from the Philippines, Senior Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki bin Osman from Singapore and Deputy Minister of Defence General Chaichan Changmongkol from Thailand at the meeting.

Minister Payne said the meeting established an important forum for enhancing defence counter-terrorism cooperation in South East Asia.

“The Perth Meeting provided a platform for the ministers to reaffirm a shared commitment for defence organisations to work together in the fight against terrorism,” she said.

“We shared lessons learnt from recent operations and discussed enhanced measures to improve information sharing and identified opportunities to work together to improve maritime security and counter-terrorism cooperation in the region.”

Minister Payne said the practical cooperation between the region’s defence forces was a vital aspect of whole-of-government counter-terrorism strategies.

“Denying terrorist groups a foothold in our region is a vital mission for regional defence forces.

“This sub-regional meeting is invaluable in building the collective capacity of Australia and our regional partners to disrupt and defeat terrorists at their source,” she said.

“I am pleased Indonesia will host the next Sub-Regional Defence Ministers’ Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in 2019.”

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