1.   He said he hoped that the two countries would strengthen relations and hold a summit meeting at least once a year.

2.   A rate cut would help buttress the U.S. economy and make it easier for other countries to strengthen their securities.

3.   Azerbaijani President Geidar Aliev said Monday that his country must strengthen its military in order to gain leverage in its talks with Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh enclave.

4.   Hashimoto told Ramos that it is important that all Southeast Asian countries strengthen their cooperation, said a Foreign Ministry official, speaking on the customary condition of anonymity.

5.   He said to quell future speculation, countries should strengthen their economies and financial sectors, pursue good economic policies, and ensure their currencies are not overvalued.

6.   On relations with Malaysia, Dr Mahathir noted that the two countries will strengthen relations in the education field.

7.   The countries shall also strengthen intra-agency co-operation in enforcement and surveillance against all causes of disaster.

8.   The country also must strengthen its economy to be able to buy weapons for defense, Estrada said in an address to graduates of the National Defense College.

9.   The Asian countries are strengthening their regional co-operation.

10.   The breakthrough came after military talks Monday evening, in which the two countries strengthened bonds but also discussed differences over nuclear weapons and growing military budgets.