WASHINGTON, USA, 28 June 2013 – Deputy Minister of Defence Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa Haji Sirat made his working visit to the United States of America, and met the US Deputy Defense Secretary Dr Ashton B. Carter yesterday.

Both sides expressed satisfaction with the overall bilateral defence relations and discussed ways to deepen the existing cooperation. Both sides also reaffirmed the importance of continuing high-level interactions to further enhance and expand defence cooperation.

Brunei Darussalam also briefed on its preparation of hosting the 2nd ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (2nd ADMM-Plus) this August. The US expressed its confidence and strong support for Brunei Darussalam to chair the 2nd ADMM-Plus, and congratulated Brunei Darussalam on having recently hosted the ADMM-Plus Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and Military Medicine Exercise (ADMM-Plus HADR and MM Ex). The Exercise was a landmark of cooperation among the defence forces of the ADMM-Plus Member States that contribute towards the building of regional capacity in addressing non-traditional security challenges in particular disaster management.

Dato Paduka Haji Mustappa also met US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and had discussions with senior officials from various offices under the US Department of Defense.