PH, US, Japan, Korea, Australia defense chiefs meet in Lao PDR

The defense chiefs of the Philippines, the US, Japan, and Australia met on Thursday in Lao PDR, stressing their countries' commitment to advance a vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, Korean Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III met for the first time in Vientiane.

According to the Department of National Defense, "the defense leaders underscored their shared commitment to advance a vision for a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where international law and sovereignty are respected."

 "The Ministers and Secretaries emphasized the importance of close multilateral cooperation in support of regional security and stability, and underscored the importance of ASEAN centrality and ASEAN-led regional architecture," the DND said.

"The leaders highlighted the progress made in strengthening their defense cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to working together moving forward," it added. —Jiselle Casucian/NB, GMA Integrated News