MINISTERS RECOGNISE NEED FOR COMMON AGREEMENT TO COMBAT SECURITY CHALLENGES

Ministers from Asia Pacific and beyond have agreed that the current issues faced in the world have become transitional and transnational, especially in the areas of human smuggling and terrorism. And all these point to the fact that security challenges can only be solved with countries working together.

This was the consensus reached by 22 ministers and representatives at a private luncheon hosted by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen on 30 May, on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue taking place in Singapore from 29 to 31 May.

Among the issues discussed was the importance of maintaining overflight in critical waterways, which included the South China Sea.

Speaking to the media after the lunch, Dr Ng said: "Everyone understood the security challenges The relevance of a dialogue (is) where we can sit down and share with each other our perspectives, and try to find a way forward."

On the issue of the South China Sea, he noted that the claimant states should come together and find a satisfactory formulation. He added that there had to be willingness from claimants and non-claimants from all states to respond, so that even as disputes occurred, they would occur in the context which reduced tensions and miscalculations.

Citing the example of the Code for Unexpected Encounters at Sea, Dr Ng said: "Putting it in layman's terms, you have to decide whether you want to drive on the left-hand side of the road or the right-hand side.

"If people don't know, then you have a risk of collision. But if everybody is clear that this is a left-hand drive, or right-hand drive, whichever you choose, then you reduce the risk of mishaps."

While Singapore is taking no sides in the disputes, Dr Ng noted that critical waterways, regardless of whether it was the South China Sea or the Malacca Strait, are of international concern, as a potential disruption of these waterways would affect everyone.

On a more positive note, Dr Ng said he was glad that issues like these were being raised and terms, discussed.

"We recognise that when it comes to sovereignty claims, it may be politically difficult for countries to want to agree there is even sovereignty dispute, much less suffer the political consequences if they lose."

"We recognise the reality and we're finding ways forward. (They) may not be as quick as what others want, but at least we're talking," he said.

At the opening plenary session of the Dialogue held earlier, United States Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter also urged countries to peacefully resolve territorial and maritime disputes, especially in the region of the South China Sea.

He said: "We all know that there is no military solution to the South China Sea. It is time to renew diplomacy, focus on finding a lasting solution that protects the rights and interests of all."

He reaffirmed US presence in the Asia-Pacific, as the US continued to remain engaged, stand up for international law and help provide security and stability in the region for decades to come.

Mr Carter revealed his plans to attend the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting to be held in Malaysia this November. He encouraged ASEAN countries to seek out new and innovative ways to work together to maintain regional security.

On the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Dr Ng hosted breakfast for ministers of the Five Power Defence Arrangements. He also held meetings with ministers and officials from Thailand, Timor Leste, Malaysia, US, Spain and the United Kingdom.