Malaysia and UAE agree to strengthen defence cooperation

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to strengthen defence cooperation to a higher level in several areas, says Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.

“We are on the same page in which we believe that this prospect (of cooperation) must be explored as best possible to drive Malaysia-UAE defence cooperation to a higher level.

“This includes sharing Malaysia’s and UAE’s expertise and experience for the safety of their respective citizens,” the Senior Defence Minister said in a statement yesterday.

Hishammuddin, who is on an official visit to the Gulf nation, met up with UAE president Sheikh Mohamed Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the UAE armed forces supreme commander, to discuss cooperation between both nations, especially on defence.

Both leaders also touched on the need to improve understanding based on the values of unity and tolerance through the establishment of the Sheikh Zayed Chair at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) in synthesis with the Tun Hussein Onn Chair.

“We believe that the holders of these two chairs should work together to promote unity and capability, especially by sharing the values of Sheikh Zayed and Tun Hussein Onn.

“This effort is important in trying to understand that harmony, tolerance and unity are the basis of a country’s success,” he added.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said he also had a fruitful meeting with UAE Defence Minister Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi where it was agreed that joint bilateral training between the Malaysian and UAE armed forces would be conducted.

“(We agree) to conduct joint bilateral training between the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and the UAE Armed Forces.

“This training will focus on land areas and involve the armies of Malaysia and the UAE,” he added.

Besides this, he said, they also agreed to increase the exchange and training of military officers between the two armed forces and military-to-military engagement at the highest level.