Vietnam and the U.S. have agreed to beef up their ties by promoting cooperation between the Southeast Asian country’s police force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), newswire Vietnamplus reported Tuesday.

The agreement was reached on March 16 during a meeting between Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang and James Comey, director of the FBI.

The meeting was organized within the framework of Minister Quang’s official visit to the U.S.

Speaking at the meeting, Comey appreciated the Vietnamese delegation’s visit as it deepens the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in terms of maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world.

Besides negotiating for the signing of cooperation documents to establish a legal framework for crime prevention, including a convict extradition and transfer agreement, the two officials also consented to enhance collaboration between the Vietnamese police force and the FBI through existing mechanisms.

They appreciated the positive results in respect of sharing information and experience and investigating crimes, particularly organized crime with an emphasis on drug smuggling and money laundering.

Comey thanked the Ministry of Public Security and its Investigation Police Office for probing and hunting many wanted criminals and handing over evidence relating to criminal cases as requested by the U.S.

Under an agreement signed in Washington on March 16 and witnessed by Director Comey and Minister Quang, the FBI will transfer the DNA testing software to the Vietnamese police.