GEORGE TOWN: An tripartite agreement on cost-sharing of the MH370 search is expected to take place next week, as the search for the missing jetliner goes into the second phase of deep water search.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishamuddin Hussein said the matter will be discussed in detail in a high-powered meeting between Australian, Chinese and Malaysian officials in Canberra, Australia.

“Our focus now is to reduce the search area. We need to finalise the assets to be deployed and determine a timeline for the search, then we will know the cost.

“The cost will be then divided with Malaysia, Australia and China, including other countries that want to come forward and help,” he said after launching the Tanjong Umno division annual delegates’ meeting at the Bayview Georgetown Hotel here today.

Leading the Malaysian delegation to Canberra next week are Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Rahim Bakri, and Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainudin.

They will meet with Australian and Chinese officials on the search.

-nst