The 14th ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) with 500 athletes of 10 ASEAN armies taking part in it was opened by Indonesian Army Deputy Chief of Staff, Djoko Santoso, at the Army Reserve and Strategic Command's (Kostrad) Infantry Division in Cilodong, West Java, on Wednesday morning.

Santoso said in accor-dance with the AARM's theme --solidarity and professionalism -- the 14th AARM was expected to help strengthen the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity among the ASEAN member countries.

With the expected increase in professionalism and solidarity, regional peace and prosperity would hopefully be reached, Santoso said before nine army deputy chiefs of staff of the neighbouring ASEAN countries.

After the opening ceremony, honorary shots were fired by the army deputy chiefs and other military officers including Kostrad Chief Lt.Gen. Bibit Waluyo and Chief of Staff of the Jakarta military command Brig.Gen. Mohammad Irianto.

According to Santoso, Indonesia is eager to appear as the overall champion as it has had an adequate training pattern and gears. "So far, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand always emerge as the overall champion in turn," he said.

As part of the 14th AARM taking place from September 1 to 8, the organizing committee was also expected to hold workshops on September 7 among the army chiefs of staff of the 10 ASEAN member countries --Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darrusalam, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines.