Vietnam attaches importance to developing a stable and sustainable strategic partnership with Malaysia.

NDO - On the afternoon of December 4, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Malaysian Defense Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, who is visiting and working in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Malaysian Defense Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

At the reception, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated Malaysia on maintaining its GDP growth momentum in recent years; believed that Malaysia would successfully implement the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, making Malaysia a high-income country with an increasingly high position in the international arena. The Prime Minister highly appreciated Malaysia's contributions in promoting the central role and solidarity of ASEAN; affirmed that the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam attach great importance to promoting the Vietnam-Malaysia Strategic Partnership to develop stably, sustainably and long-term. The Prime Minister and the Malaysian Minister of Defense were pleased to say that, despite complicated developments in the world and region, the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership is still developing well, with increasing political trust, and cooperation in areas such as culture, education, tourism and people-to-people exchange. In particular, economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries has always achieved impressive results. Malaysia is the second largest investor in ASEAN in Vietnam, ranking 10th out of 140 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with a total capital of 13 billion USD. Vietnam currently has 21 investment projects in Malaysia with a total registered capital of more than 850 million USD; bilateral trade turnover has continuously increased in recent years despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, reaching nearly 15 billion USD in 2022, an increase of 17% compared to 2021.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Malaysian Defense Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes to continue to deepen the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership in all areas: high-level delegation exchanges, investment, trade, culture, education and training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. The Prime Minister asked Malaysia to support Vietnam in removing the European Commission's IUU "yellow card", support Vietnam in developing the Halal industry, and open the door for Vietnamese Halal products to enter Malaysia. Informing about Vietnam's foreign policy and "4 no" defense policy, the Prime Minister affirmed that the Vietnamese Government always supports and creates the most favorable conditions for cooperation between the two countries' defense ministries to develop more and more sustainably. The Malaysian Defense Minister conveyed the greetings of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and invited Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to visit Malaysia at an appropriate time; affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Malaysia in the region, and the only country in ASEAN with which Malaysia has established a strategic partnership.

Reception scene. (Photo: TRAN HAI)

Highly agreeing with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's opinion; informing the Prime Minister about the results of the talks between the two countries' Defense Ministers, Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan said that in the coming time, the two sides will increase contacts and delegation exchanges; soon establish consultation-dialogue mechanisms; strengthen cooperation between military branches and services; promote cooperation in areas of cooperation where both sides have strengths and needs such as training, defense industry, logistics, military medicine, search and rescue, etc.; actively consult and support each other at regional and international security forums. Highly appreciating the results of the talks, the goodwill of cooperation between the two Defense Ministries, contributing to the development of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the two Defense Ministries continue to strengthen cooperation, contributing to peace, cooperation and development of each country, in the region and the world. The two sides need to continue to fully, effectively and practically implement the signed cooperation documents; strengthen cooperation in areas where both sides have potential and strengths; support the maritime law enforcement agencies of the two countries to enhance coordination in information exchange, crime prevention and control; cooperate in training; help each other's fishing vessels and fishermen in distress at sea; research and expand potential areas of cooperation such as defense industry, logistics and military medicine... The Prime Minister hopes that, as two proactive, active and vocal members of ASEAN, Malaysia and Vietnam will continue to support and propose practical initiatives and actions to promote intra-bloc solidarity and ASEAN's central role in the regional security structure; in particular, promote the effective implementation of the DOC, soon sign a substantive, effective and appropriate COC; ensure security, safety and freedom of aviation and navigation; resolving disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the interests of all parties, contributing to creating an environment of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the East Sea. On this occasion, through Minister Dato' Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent his thanks, regards and congratulations to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and senior leaders of Malaysia.

THANH GIANG

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