KUWAIT CITY, Dec. 3 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait and the United States discussed boosting military cooperation between the two countries on Sunday.

Kuwait's Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Mohammad Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met Sunday with visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis, said Kuwaiti defense ministry in a statement.

The two sides also discussed issues of mutual interest, said the statement.

"Mattis' visit helps strengthen military cooperation between Kuwait and the United States," said Kuwait's defense minister.

Mattis arrived in Kuwait earlier Sunday as part of his tour to the region.