SINGAPORE, June 1 (Xinhua) -- The annual Asian Security Summit, also known as the Shangri-La Dialogue, concluded here Sunday with defense ministers and senior officials from 27 countries heavily focusing on international cooperation in disaster relief.

　　Meeting for the first time since Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar and the earthquake hit China last month, defense ministers including U.S. defense secretary, China's deputy chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Myanmar's deputy defense minister, have agreed on three principles to guide the efforts of the international community in helping disaster-struck countries.

　　The first principle stressed the responsibility of disaster-hit countries to respond to disasters occurring within their territory in a prompt and effective manner.

　　The second is, where needed, they should facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid from other countries and international organizations.

　　Any external help shall have the consent of the affected countries, and it should come under their overall control and supervision, said the third.

　　Singapore's Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean, who spoke Sunday at the three-day forum, stressed the importance of international cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as "no country, no matter how big, is able to muster all the resources and specialized capabilities necessary to attend to all the needs of the victims."

　　He also pointed out that the key in such operations is bringing relief speedily and effectively to the victims, which is "a responsibility to provide" of all national governments.

　　Teo's call for international cooperation in disaster relief echoed Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong who said that international cooperation is key to tackling non-traditional security threats such as food shortages and natural disasters when he made a keynote speech at the opening of the conference on Friday.

　　Chinese government's quick response to the May 12 earthquake received the approbation of the forum participants.

　　"The Sichuan earthquake showed how much China has changed and offered a glimpse of its future: a more open and self-confident nation," the prime minister Lee said.

　　China's military leader Ma Xiaotian detailed the PLA's relief efforts after the devastating earthquake and thanked for more than30 countries and international organizations who have provided relief efforts to the affected areas.

　　Referring to Myanmar, the defense minister Teo said, "I think most of us would agree that we would have preferred to see a different outcome, where the aid flow available from the international community might have been put to more prompt and effective use."

　　Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak urged Myanmar to let the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) play a bigger role in providing relief to cyclone-hit areas.

　　"We would like to see ASEAN being allowed to play a much bigger role because the situation is very, very serious in Myanmar," he spoke at the forum.

　　The 10-member bloc, which includes Myanmar, has played a leading role in coordinating foreign aids to Myanmar.

　　Myanmar's Deputy Defense Minister Aye Myint told the forum that the focus of cyclone relief is now on reconstruction, and Myanmar welcomes "no strings attached" foreign aid.

　　"We would warmly welcome any assistance and aid which are provided with genuine goodwill from any country or organization provided that there are no strings attached, or politicization involved," he said.

　　South Korean Defence Minister Lee Sang-Hee called for the creation of a global crisis management system to cope with increasingly destructive natural disasters.

　　"A crisis management system of global reach is urgently required to effectively manage the vestiges of natural disasters," Lee said, adding that "Working together on such a system will strengthen our regional and global cooperation in dealing with today's uncertainty."

　　The Shangri-La Dialogue, now in its seventh year, has played a useful role in shaping common perceptions and norms of behavior in the region.

　　Over the years, the forum, named after the hotel it takes place, has facilitated discussions on specific issues such as maritime security in the Malacca Strait, leading to combined maritime air patrols by the littoral states.

　　This year, besides natural disasters, other security challenges facing the region were also discussed by the participants, such as energy and food security, non-proliferation, as well as terrorism.

　　The center of gravity of the world will move towards Asia within 25 years, said French Defense Minister Herve Morin, adding that the region is a major strategic stake for Europe.

　　U.S. Defense Secretary Gates also ensured participants that America has an enduring role in Asia which will continue regardless of who occupies the White House next year, while China is willing to boost military cooperation with other countries in the region.

　　Ma Xiaotian said, "We will work together with nations in this region to maintain regional peace and stability and are committed to unremitting efforts for a harmonious Asia-Pacific region of lasting peace and shared prosperity."

　　He said China argues for universal security of the international community and repels acts of ensuring security of some countries at the cost of others, including the expansion of military alliance.

　　He stressed, "To develop and deploy the missile defense system and to engage in missile defense cooperation in some areas in the world is not helpful in strategic balance, confidence building and regional stability."