Malaysia and Qatar to establish High Level Committee
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Qatar have agreed to elevate defence relations to a more strategic level by establishing a High Level Committee ( HLC).
Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the establishment of the HLC was to enable more focused and structured framework between defence institutions in both countries.
He said Qatar had shown interest to assist the Malaysian Armed Forces ( MAF) to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need in Somalia.
“This signifies the warm defence relations shared by both countries and the unity of both ministers on this matter,” he told reporters after the signing of a Letter of Intent ( LOI) with Qatar Minister of State for Defence, Dr Khalid Mohamed A. Al-Attiyah here yesterday.
Meanwhile, Dr Khalid Mohamed said it was a historical relationship between Malaysia and Qatar, describing it as way beyond any established diplomatic ties.
“My colleague (Hishammuddin) and I hope to establish cooperation between the two countries on military exercise, technology and others,” he said.
Hishammuddin said the LOI, among others included cooperation between the two countries to develop defence capabilities, as well as intensify cooperation in exchanging intelligence information related to fighting terrorism.
“We are concerned over the international security and the growing threat of terrorist groups, in particular, Daesh,” he added. — Bernama