Bangladesh seeks closer defense ties with Brunei

Bangladesh's armed forces is looking to strengthen defense cooperation with Brunei in the coming year through more training exchange programs between military officers, local press reported Wednesday.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Brunei Mohammed Abdul Hye said there are plans for their army chief to visit the country next year.

Speaking on the sidelines of a lunch reception on the occasion of the Bangladesh Armed Forces Day, the high commissioner said his country would like to strengthen cooperation in training. "Next year, we would like to invite the commandant of the Defense Academy of Brunei to visit Bangladesh. At the same time, we are trying to organize the visit of our army chief to come to Brunei,"he was quoted by the Brunei Times as saying. "Our officers are coming here to Brunei to attend a course next year, which will be the fourth intake. Every year over the least three years, we send one officer here. Brunei too has been sending their officers to Bangladesh,"he said.

The diplomat said they are trying to organize more training for Bruneian land, army and air force officers to Bangladesh. "Globally, we cooperate to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region. Brunei is best in very strategic and important locations. We are at the far end of the region, but our interactions with Brunei help us understand the Asia-Pacific region more closely."

In his speech, the high commissioner said he believed both countries would reach new heights in defense cooperation in years to come. Endi