The 2nd ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) concluded  Thursday with the signing of the Bandar Seri Begawan Declaration, in which the ministers reaffirmed their commitment to enhance peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

The ministers agreed to strengthen defense cooperation between their countries in advancing the cause of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, while adhering to the principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and respect for international laws.

Australia, China, India , Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Russia, the United States, among others, took part in the meeting along with the ten members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The ADMM-Plus is described as "a tool to engage ASEAN dialogue partners in dialogue and cooperation on defense and security matters," said the ADMM website.

The first ADMM Plus Meeting was held in Vietnam in 2010 when attending defense ministers agreed to pursue practical cooperation in the five areas of maritime security, counter-terrorism, disaster management, peacekeeping operations and military medicine.

The inaugural ADMM-Plus humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and military medicine exercise in Brunei Darussalam in June 2013 was a landmark cooperation among the defense forces of the ADMM-Plus member states.

The ministers believe that their relations must be guided by the fundamental principles enshrined in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation especially the renunciation of threat or use of force, and the exercise of self-restraint.

The ministers also agreed to promote better understanding and confidence-building measures among the defense establishments, in hopes of fostering the spirit of collective responsibility through the development of shared understanding on defense and security challenges.

Given the complex nature of these challenges, the ministers agreed to work towards enhancing regional capacity and joint capabilities through greater engagements and interactions. This could take the form of trainings and joint exercises, which will also enhance interoperability.

The ministers also agreed to work towards effective response to challenges. In reducing vulnerability to miscalculations, and avoid misunderstanding and undesirable incidents at sea, while sharing the view to establish practical measures within the ADMM- Plus defense and military cooperation.

The ministers reaffirm their commitment to remain actively engaged in the ADMM-Plus to respond to current and future challenges and opportunities based on the principles of non- interference, consensus-based decision-making, national and regional resilience, while respecting each countries' sovereignty.

They also stressed the importance of ASEAN centrality in driving the ADMM process.