Hegseth proposed establishing a U.S.-ASEAN defense architecture to strengthen regional security cooperation

U.S. Defense Secretary Hegseth proposed on the 28th the establishment of an "ambitious" new defense cooperation structure between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), arguing that this move would help countries respond to "critical" situations in the next few years.

According to the "AFP" report, Hegseth spoke before a meeting with the defense ministers of ASEAN countries in Cebu, Philippines, praising the "pragmatic spirit" and "proud nationalism" of Southeast Asia. "We can't agree on everything, and we don't have to," Hegseth said. "We should work together where our common interests overlap. Looking to the future of this region, I hope we can take a more ambitious approach. I propose working together to develop a U.S.-ASEAN defense cooperation architecture."

Hegseth said that the cooperation framework will be a pragmatic framework that will provide guidance for cooperation between the United States and ASEAN countries in the next few years. Hegseth added that the next few years will be crucial.

Hegseth claimed that the United States is ready to launch this plan as Singapore will take over the chairmanship of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) next year. The meeting not only included the 11 ASEAN member states, but also representatives from the United States, Japan, China, and Australia.

Hegseth also called for strengthening "maritime situational awareness" and further deepening cooperation among navies. Hegseth said, "These are not symbolic measures, but concrete demonstrations of what serious partners should do. Really serious partners will train together, learn together, plan together, and build the necessary trust and capabilities to prevent conflicts from occurring."