Hagel Underscores Commitment to Partnership With Malaysia
(American Forces Press Service) – The Malaysian military has made impressive contributions to counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and to United Nations peacekeeping efforts with nearly 1,000 troops deployed worldwide this year, he said, adding that Malaysian armed forces medical personnel are contributing to security in Afghanistan.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 25, 2013 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had productive meetings here today with Malaysian officials and said the United States is committed to building on progress made over the past few years and strengthening the U.S.-Malaysian partnership.
Hagel’s first visit to Malaysia as defense secretary is part of an Asia-Pacific trip that will include visits to Indonesia, Brunei and the Philippines.
“Malaysia has been a good friend to the United States, and the close security partnership we’ve forged holds great promise for ensuring our shared security and prosperity in the 21st century,” Hagel said this afternoon during a joint news conference with Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein.
“I know President [Barack] Obama appreciates the close relationship that exists between our two countries,” he added, “and I know he looks forward to his visit here in October to [attend] the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.”
Hagel and Hishammuddin met, the secretary said, “to discuss a range of security issues of importance to both our countries and to this region.”
Praising Malaysia’s growing military capabilities, Hagel said Malaysia has made increasingly important contributions to regional and global security.
The Malaysian military has made impressive contributions to counterpiracy operations in the Gulf of Aden and to United Nations peacekeeping efforts with nearly 1,000 troops deployed worldwide this year, he said, adding that Malaysian armed forces medical personnel are contributing to security in Afghanistan.
The United States welcomes these efforts by the Malaysian military, Hagel said, “and today I made clear that the U.S. is continuing to assist Malaysia’s military as it increases its capabilities in areas like humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping, maritime security and counterterrorism.”
This year the United States will conduct more than 75 activities, exchanges and visits with the Malaysian military, the secretary added, all designed to help it become a more professional and flexible force.
Hagel said he and the defense minister also discussed ways to counter transnational threats, such as trafficking and proliferation, and future areas of cooperation, such as technology collaboration and expanding defense trade and information sharing.
“Minister Hishammuddin and I reaffirmed our shared belief that greater multilateral cooperation and strong regional institutions are essential — essential,” Hagel stressed, “to greater stability in the region.”
