almotamar.net - Staff Major General Ahmed Ali al-Ashwal, Yemen's Chief of Staff on Monday held talks at the US Defense Department with the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England during which he reviewed the achievements the armed forces in Yemen made and the keenness of president Ali Abdullah Saleh on development of the armed forces by raising their readiness and improvement of the level of qualification and training.

General al-Ashwal also talked on various aspects of the Yemeni American relations and the tangible development those relations have lately witnessed especially in the military and security field which appeared in greater manner during president Saleh's latest visit to Washington.

The US Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England welcomed the Yemeni military delegation in Washington, pointing out the importance of the two sides talks and the necessity of exchange of expertise and information in a number of areas.

The meeting also discussed military cooperation in a number of fields particularly in the combating of terror, the regional security of the area, technical affairs and aspects of training and other relevant sides.

The Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen expressed his happiness for meeting the Yemeni military delegation and praising the extent of relations between the two friendly armies of development and growth they reached. Meanwhile he affirmed the necessity of opening larger areas pushing forward the relations and enhancing them in service of the two countries' goals and interests.

On his part the head of the US-Yemeni military cooperation Bureau told the information office in Washington that the meetings were fruitful and held in cordial atmosphere, expressing his happiness for the visit of the Yemeni delegation.

On his part the military attach� at the Yemeni embassy in Washington col. Tayseer Saleh Abdullah Saleh said the cordial and official meetings contribute to enhance the relations and trust between the two armies and strengthen their relations and "we look forward to more meetings between the two sides in near future."