HANOI, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Command Timothy Keating, being here on his first Vietnam trip since taking office, discussed with the Vietnamese side bilateral army cooperation, and exchanged views of international and regional issues of common concern.

    Keating and Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Soat, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army on Thursday centered their discussions on such issues as searching for servicemen listed as missing in action, rescue and charitable activities, language training, military healthcare, Vietnam News Agency reported.

    The two sides agreed that they would jointly study and put forth fields for cooperation.

    During his visit, Keating paid a courtesy visit to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Deputy Minister of Defense Nguyen Huy Hieu, and visited Vietnam's Academy of National Defense.