WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- In a phone conversation with his Malaysian counterpart on Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel underscored the importance that he and the U.S. Defense Department place on the bilateral relationship with Malaysia and on the Asia-Pacific region.
In a statement summarizing the call, Department of Defense Press Secretary John Kirby said that Hagel and Defense Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein discussed several security issues, including activity of the Islamic State and concerns about militant Islam in Southeast Asia.
The two defense chiefs also discussed Malaysia's upcoming chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the continuing investigation into the July 17 crash of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Ukraine, the spokesman said.
"Secretary Hagel and Minister Hishammuddin reaffirmed their commitment to a strong bilateral relationship and reaffirmed their commitment to working together to confront global challenges," Kirby added.
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