KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Malaysian and Vietnamese defense forces signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation here on Thursday.

    The MoU was aimed at establishing interaction in the field of training and a stronger platform for discussion between the defense forces of both countries, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Najib Tun Razak said.

    Najib signed the MoU on Malaysia's behalf while Vietnam was represented by its Defense Minister Gen Phung Quang Thanh.

    Bilateral ties between the two countries went well with various cooperation already being forged including in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and petroleum, Najib said.

    Among the thrusts of the MoU were to hold training programs for Vietnam's military officers through various courses in Malaysia, he said at a press conference after the MoU signed.

    "In this regard, Malaysia will try to ensure that no incidents leading to the loss of lives or properties will happen to fishermen from that country who enter our waters," Malaysian national news agency Bernama quoted Najib as saying.

    "We have also discussed the question of legal procedures which we need to tackle. In Vietnam, they have facilitated the handling of foreign fishermen detained in their waters and they have asked for no shooting incident to recur," he said.

    Najib said that they also discussed the cooperation in the field of petroleum in Vietnam waters which needed to be further fine tuned

    Meanwhile, Gen Phung Quang Thanh said the MoU would enhance the bilateral ties between the defense forces of both countries and bring the military relations to a higher level.

    "Vietnam and Malaysia share borders and through the close ties and cooperation between the two countries, it will strengthen the defense relationship for peace, stability and prosperity," he said.