Minister of State for Defence Affairs Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa today met, at the Ritz Carlton Bahrain Hotel, Japanese Deputy Chief of Staff Major-General Goro Matsumura and discussed the agenda of the 9th Manama Dialogue2013, being held in Bahrain on December6-8. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and joint cooperation, particularly military coordination. The Japanese officer hailed the role of Bahrain, which would benefit the region and expand constructive dialogue in the region. The meeting was attended by BDF director for planning, organisation and technology Major General Yusuf Ahmed Malalla and Japanese Ambassador Shigeki Sumi.