ULAN BATOR, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia and the Philippines agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defense, Mongolia's Defense Ministry said Friday.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between Mongolian Defense Minister Nyamaa Enkhbold and his visiting Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana in Ulan Bator.

Noting that the military personnel of Mongolia and the Philippines actively participate in regional military exercises and the United Nations' peacekeeping operations, Enkhbold said that Mongolia is ready to expand its defense cooperation with the Philippines at both the bilateral and regional levels, and will contribute to world peace and security.

He also emphasized that expanding defense cooperation is crucial for strengthening mutual trust and understanding between the two countries as well as improving the capacity of the armed forces.

Lorenzana, for his part, said the Philippines is willing to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Mongolia in defense and learn from the landlocked country's peacekeeping experience.