KUALA LUMPUR, April 13 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia and New Zealand have reaffirmed their bilateral commitment on defence cooperation under the Five Powers Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).
According to a statement from Defence Ministry, Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob and his New Zealand counterpart, Peeni Henare held a video conference call day, which underscored the importance of bilateral defence cooperation and excellent cooperation between both countries under the FPDA and the ADMM-Plus.
“Although challenged by the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, the two Defence Ministers expressed their mutual commitments to the FPDA and the 50th Anniversary event that Malaysia will be hosting in 2021,” the statement read.
They also expressed their support on the resumption of active engagements in 2021 between the armed forces, including the conduct of training and bilateral exercises.
The statement said that both ministers also discussed the need to strengthen cooperation on cyber security between the two armed forces.
Apart from that, both the ministers also updated each other on the current COVID-19 pandemic situation and the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccination programme in both countries.
Ismail Sabri also expressed his hope to meet Minister Henare in person at the 11th FPDA Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Kuala Lumpur this year.
— NNN-BERNAMA