Singapore, Vietnam hold policy dialogue

SINGAPORE, Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A top defense official from Vietnam met with the head of the Singapore Ministry of Defense Monday to discuss ways to address regional security concerns.

Col.-Gen. Nguyen Huy Hieu, Vietnamese vice minister of national defense, concluded an official trip to Singapore Monday. Nguyen held meetings with Teo Chee Hean, Singapore minister for defense, to discuss potential threats to security in the region, the Singapore government reported.

Nguyen's official trip, part of the two countries' first bilateral meeting on defense policy, was designed to strengthen areas where Vietnam and Singapore could cooperate on defense.

Officials say the defense policy dialog meetings are expected to continue on an annual basis and "serve as a forum to advance the warm and growing bilateral defense relationship between Singapore and Vietnam," the release said.