Singapore (VNA) - Singapore and Brunei have reaffirmed theircommitment to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation in areas such as defencetechnology at the recent Singapore-Brunei Defence Policy Dialogue.

Singapore's Permanent Secretary for Defence Chan Heng Kee and his counterpartfrom Brunei, Brigadier General (BG) (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar binHaji Ma'awiah co-chaired the eighth edition of the dialogue which was held virtually on September 15.

Both sides exchanged views on international and regional security issues ofmutual interest, and welcomed further defence cooperation on platforms such asthe ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting, as Brunei will be assuming ASEAN chairmanshipin 2021.

They also approved enhancements to the bilateral Defence Scholars' DevelopmentProgramme.

Established in 2007, the programme has brought together future leaders of thedefence establishments of the two countries at an early stage of their careersto build lifelong friendship.

Inaugurated in 2009, the dialogue is served as a regular forum for both sidesto oversee and boost bilateral defence ties while exploring new areas ofdefence cooperation.

In 2021, Singapore and Brunei will celebrate their 45th anniversary ofbilateral defence ties./.