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M'sia, Qatar elevate ties further with formation of High Level Committee

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Qatar will elevate their diplomatic ties by forming a High Level Committee (HLC) to focus on the structural framework of both countries' defence institutions.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said the approach of forming an HLC is testament to the high level of trust between the two countries, whose relationship has strengthened over the years.

"There are only a few countries that we have elevated our relationship with (to the level of having an) HLC signed.

"And now, our relationship has reached a level that we can ink an HLC with Qatar, hopefully," Hishammuddin said.

He was speaking at a press conference at the ministry after receiving a courtesy call by his Qatar counterpart, Dr Khalid Mohamed A Al-Attiyah here, today.

Earlier, Hishammuddin and Khalid signed a Letter of Intent (LOl) to emphasise on enhancing defence ties between their two countries.

Hishammuddin also told reporters that Khalid praised Malaysia’s initiative with Saudi Arabia in establishing the King Salman Centre for International Peace (KSClP).

"We have tabled to Qatar the plan to build the King Salman Centre for International Peace and we have received an encouraging response," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who was also at the press conference, said the government plans to get Qatar on board with the establishment of the centre.

"We have received positive feedback from Qatar and we hope this will open doors to more cooperation with both Muslim and non-Muslim nations," he said.

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