The US and Canada recently signed an agreement to increase security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Canada-US Asia-Pacific Cooperation Framework was signed by US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Canadian Defense Minister Rob Nicholson on November 22, on the sidelines of the Halifax International Security Forum.

The deal aims to help Asian countries co ordinate their training exercises and support regional cooperation with assistance from the US and Canada.

The new agreement is another example of the US and Canada being able to leverage each other's strengths in order to help address global challenges, Hagel said, stressing that the two pacific nations can benefit from working together.

Nicholson on his part said the bilateral defence partnership creates favourable conditions for Canadian armed force to realise the three duties stated in Canada First Defenec Strategy (CFDS), including protecting Canada, North America and contribute to maintaining international peace and security.-VNA