Manama, November 20 (BNA) Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that the Gulf and Asian countries should find and nurture commonalities across different sectors as two regions linked by many commonalities.
“We must work hard now to secure the future we want for our children and grandchildren. We owe it to ourselves to build a solid foundation for this vision of a shared future. We must be able to chart our common destiny. We must avoid drifting in different directions, and forge the singularity of the vision.”
In his speech at the second plenary session of the Manama Dialogue 2021, “Gulf and Asia”, Hussein stressed the importance of facing the inherent risks and challenges and building bridges for a better future for future generations.
He pointed out that the biggest challenge facing the world today is the Corona pandemic, which has become a top priority and international efforts must be concerted to confront it.
The minister stressed the need for concerted efforts and unifying visions for the good of humanity, and that today it is necessary to look forward and deal together with challenges that seem enormous and endless, adding, “We do not want to lose hope.”
He called for joint action to face challenges on the basis of building strategic relations and extending bridges of cooperation with regions of common interest in enhancing security and cooperation, finding solutions to challenges and enhancing confidence.
Referring to Malaysia’s commitment to fighting extremism, he said that his country joined the international coalition against ISIS in 2014.
He added that the vital move forward was for countries to build on the trust they had built over the past years.
Hussein said that relations between the Gulf states and Southeast Asia are deep-rooted and constructive.
He warned against sending down the guards in the fight against terrorism.
He stressed that the Gulf states and Asia must be vigilant in combating extremism and not turn a blind eye to this war.
He warned that developments in Afghanistan may be a morale for dormant armed groups in Southeast Asia, raising fears that the two regions could once again become a haven for terrorist groups seeking to establish a new base.
The minister cautioned that while the world is focusing on COVID-19, it is giving the impression that terrorism and extremism have taken a back seat, and governments must not allow this to overshadow their judgments and lull them into a false sense of security.
“The moment the extremists feel we are distracted is the moment they intensify their evil intentions,” he said.
The minister said that both regions have a chance to forge a better future together in a new global landscape where the world is moving into a settlement and should not squander it away.