- Title: FPDA defence ministers reaffirm commitment to counter-terrorism in Singapore
- Date: 2nd June 2017
- Summary: SINGAPORE (JUNE 2, 2017) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** FIVE POWER DEFENCE ARRANGEMENTS (FPDA) DEFENCE MINISTERS AND REPRESENTATIVES WALKING IN FOR NEWS CONFERENCE PANEL TAKING THEIR SEATS ON STAGE, (FROM LEFT) AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER MARISE PAYNE, MALAYSIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER HISHAMMUDDIN HUSSEIN, SINGAPORE'S DEFENCE MINISTER NG ENG HEN, NEW ZEALAND'S DEFENCE MINISTER MARK MITCHELL AND BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER TO SINGAPORE SCOTT WIGHTMAN NG SPEAKING PHOTOGRAPHERS SITTING ON FLOOR (SOUNDBITE) (English) MALAYSIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER, HISHAMMUDDIN HUSSEIN, SAYING: "What has unfolded recently in our region, whether it is in Marawi in Philippines, incidents in Jakarta and Bangkok, and Malaysia is not exempted, is something that we decided this morning to really address? And through the FPDA (Five Power Defence Arrangements), it's not just a military initiative or not just a legal approach, but (also) the winning of hearts and minds, and looking at social media and how to counter the narrative that is coming out from this very evil group of people who are determined to establish a foothold in our region." NATIONAL FLAGS OF FIVE FPDA COUNTRIES ON DISPLAY NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) AUSTRALIA'S DEFENCE MINISTER, MARISE PAYNE, SAYING: "We need to acknowledge firmly and directly the threat that is posed to us here in this region, whether it comes from the returning foreign fighters who may try to leave the Middle East as matters progress in Iraq and Syria in particular, or whether it comes from violent extremist organisations already in our regional countries." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SINGAPORE'S DEFENCE MINISTER, NG ENG HEN, SAYING: "They (FPDA defence ministers) their unwavering commitment to the FPDA, we directed our staff and militaries, the chief of defence forces who are here, to update the relevance of the FPDA both in terms of our exercises, integration of new capabilities, as well as to deal with current security threats in response to a changing security environment which now includes counter-terrorism and maritime security." PANEL STANDING UP (FROM LEFT) PAYNE, HISHAMMUDDIN, NG, MITCHELL AND WIGHTMAN STANDING FOR PHOTO OPPORTUNITY PAYNE, HISHAMMUDDIN, NG, MITCHELL AND WIGHTMAN HOLDING INTERLOCKED HANDS, SMILING FOR PHOTOS EXTERIOR OF SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, VENUE FOR THE SHANGRI-LA DIALOGUE BANNER READING (English): "SHANGRI-LA HOTEL, SINGAPORE" ARMED SECURITY PERSONNEL STANDING ARMED POLICE LOOKING IN BACK OF VEHICLE DURING SECURITY CHECK VARIOUS OF ARMED POLICE DIRECTING CARS BACK OF POLICE VEST READING (English): "AUXILIARY POLICE" ARMED POLICE DIRECTING CAR SINGAPORE'S NATIONAL FLAG AND SHANGRI-LA HOTEL FLAGS
- Embargoed: 16th June 2017 07:10
- Keywords: Singapore Five Power Defence Arrangement Asia regional security security forum Shangri-La Dialogue
- Location: SINGAPORE
- City: SINGAPORE
- Country: Singapore
- Topics: Defence,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016JL40G5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) grouping vowed to work together in counter-terrorism measures on Friday (June 2) during a meeting in Singapore on the sidelines of Asia's biggest regional security forum, the Shangri-La Dialogue.
Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen hosted his counterparts from Australia, Malaysia and New Zealand - Marise Payne, Hishammuddin Hussein and Mark Mitchell respectively - as well the British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman.
"What has unfolded recently in our region, whether it's in Marawi in the Philippines, incidents in Jakarta and Bangkok, and Malaysia is not exempted, is something that we decided this morning to really address," said Hishammuddin.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is due to kick off later on Friday (June 2) with a keynote speech from Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes as well as territorial disputes in the South China Sea are expected to top the agenda during the forum, which is also overshadowed by an ongoing security crisis in the southern Philippines. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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