Washington Proposes New Framework for Defense Cooperation with ASEAN

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 28 (KUNA) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth proposed on Wednesday the creation of a new framework for defense cooperation between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen military and security ties in the coming years, reaffirming Washington’s commitment to defending the interests of the United States and its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Speaking at an informal meeting of ASEAN and U.S. defense ministers in Cebu, Philippines, Hegseth said the proposed framework aims to guide defense cooperation during what he described as “critical” years, coinciding with preparations by both sides to mark the 50th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations next year.

He explained that Washington would translate its security commitments into practical steps, including enhancing maritime domain awareness capabilities, increasing operational interoperability among military forces, and expanding cooperation with the navies of partner countries, thereby boosting their readiness and capacity to address shared security challenges.

He stressed that these steps “are not symbolic gestures but tangible evidence of what serious partners are doing,” noting that “serious partners train, learn, and plan together to build the trust and competence necessary to prevent conflicts.”

Describing the U.S. approach in the region as “strong, quiet, and clear,” he added that it “will be strong enough to deter coercion and aggression, quiet enough to avoid unnecessary escalation or public posturing, and clear enough to allow allies and potential adversaries to understand Washington’s position.”

He affirmed that the United States “will defend the interests of itself, its allies, and its partners,” viewing this approach as embodying the principle of “peace through strength.”

For his part, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized during the meeting the importance of maintaining strong defense ties between the United States and ASEAN countries, stressing that active U.S. engagement remains essential to preserving peace and stability not only in Southeast Asia but across the entire Indo-Pacific region.

Teodoro welcomed the ASEAN member states’ representatives and the U.S. delegation led by Hegseth, expressing his country’s pride in hosting the meeting, which coincides with the 80th anniversary of formal diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the United States.

He expressed appreciation for continued U.S. support for the principle of “ASEAN centrality,” which underscores the Association’s pivotal role in leading regional cooperation mechanisms, as well as Washington’s backing of ASEAN-led defense frameworks, notably the Expanded ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (EADMM), particularly initiatives related to maritime security and naval cooperation.

He pointed to the successful participation of the Philippine Navy in the second edition of joint ASEAN-U.S. naval exercises held in Indonesia last December, as well as U.S. support for the current co-chairmanship of the Philippines and Japan of the EADMM Working Group on Maritime Security.

The Philippines, which holds the ASEAN chairmanship this year, is hosting the 20th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting on Wednesday and the 13th EADMM on Thursday, with participation from the 11 ASEAN member states and eight dialogue partners: the United States, China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. The meetings aim to enhance security and defense cooperation and discuss regional and international challenges.

(END) A.P. / T.M.A.