Malaysia-Netherlands Forge Cooperation In Peacekeeping Operations

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and the Netherlands have agreed to cooperate in training and exchanging of expertise in peacekeeping operations, said Chief of Defence Forces Gen Zulkifeli Mohd Zin. He said the decision was made at a closed-door meeting with his Netherlands counterpart Gen Tom Middendorp, during the latter's courtesy call on him here, Saturday morning. "(Each country) will send one personnel each for a period of two to three months, we will do this as soon as possible, I will communicate with the staff in Netherlands," he told reporters after the meeting, at the Wisma Pertahanan (Defence Ministry), here. Zulkifeli said that the one-hour meeting among others, had also discussed the recovery and investigation of the downed Malaysia Airlines (MAS) Flight MH17. "Holland plays a major role in the investigation into and recovery of the aircraft and its passengers. "(In the discussion) I expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the Netherlands and they too appreciated our country's contributions in the investigation," he said. The Boeing 777-200 aircraft which was believed to have been shot down, crashed in eastern Ukraine on July 17 last year, as it was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur with 283 passengers and 15 crew on board. Besides Malaysians, nationals from the Netherlands, Australia, Indonesia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, the Philippines, Canada and New Zealand were among the passengers and crew on board. In addition, Zulkifeli pointed out, that both countries had also shared on ways to streghten existing relationship. Middendorp who is on a two-day visit arrived here, Friday. -- BERNAMA