Defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met Tuesday in Kuala Lumpur to exchange views on the current international and regional security situation.

ASEAN ministers agreed to promote regional peace and stability through dialogue and cooperation in defense and security, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak told reporters.

The ministers also agreed to give guidance to existing senior defence and military officials dialogue and cooperation in the field of defense and security within ASEAN and between ASEAN and its dialogue partners, Najib said while reading a joint statement of the one-day meeting.

Representatives at the meeting pledged to contribute to the establishment of an ASEAN Security Committee (ASC) as stipulated in the Bali Concord II and to promote the implementation of the Vientiane Action Program on ASC, said Najib, who is also Defense Minister.

According to the reports of the Bernama news agency, Najib also said the next ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting will be held in Singapore next year.

When asked why Myanmar was not represented at the meeting, Najib said an invitation had been sent but Myanmar replied in a letter that it could not send representatives because of some pressing domestic concern or engagement.

Najib refused to elaborate on this matter but added that Myanmar will be also invited to attend the second meeting in Singapore.

(Xinhua News Agency May 10, 2006)