Europe, Mid-East conflicts must not be repeated in Asia: Ng Eng Hen

Having a third centre of confrontation will be destabilising, says Defence Minister

- Mike Yeo

Asian countries are determined not to let the conflicts and humanitarian crises in Europe and the Middle East take place in the region.

That was the recurring theme at the ongoing Shangri-La Dialogue, according to Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

"There has been a strengthened resolve or pre-emption that conflict shouldn't occur in Asia, because it would really destabilise having a third centre of confrontation (after Europe and the Middle East), but also, the lessons learnt on the cost of aggression and the consequences of aggression, whether it's justified or not," he said.

Dr Ng was speaking to reporters after hosting a roundtable discussion with 24 visiting ministers and their representatives on June 1 in conjunction with the defence summit, which is taking place from May 31 to June 2.

The ministers discussed a wide range of issues, including US-China relations and the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza.