Manila, KL discuss defense cooperation

Manila, KL discuss defense cooperation

MANILA (AFP): The Philippines and Malaysia will discuss closer defense cooperation involving both military operations and defense industries in Kuala Lumpur later this month, the head of Malaysian defense forces said yesterday.

The talks will include "army-navy cooperation on the ground... exchange of information programs, about (the) defense industry getting together", Paduka Ismail Bin Omar told reporters after meeting President Fidel Ramos.

Asked if he had discussed joint military exercises with Ramos, Paduka said he did not but admitted "we are working on that."

The talks in Kuala Lumpur are intended to follow-up a defense memorandum of understanding signed by the two countries' defense ministers last year, Paduka said.