PM receives Malaysian Deputy PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail,  Ha Noi, October 25, 2018

Regarding the promotion of bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail expressed her confidence that bilateral trade will be on the upswing in the coming time.

She said that Malaysia is keen to enhance trade links with Viet Nam, who holds a highly important role in the region and thanked the Vietnamese Government for facilitating Malaysian businesses’ operations in the country.

She also proposed both sides should step up maritime and fishery cooperation, noting that her country wants to ensure maritime security, safety, peace and stability in the East Sea. 

The Malaysian Government always pays heed to dealing with issues relating to Vietnamese workers in the country, she said.

Concerning the CPTPP ratification, the Deputy PM said immediately after returning home, she will soon report the issue to the Malaysian Prime Minister of Malaysia. She noted with hope that the two countries' relations will grow and flourish in the future.

In turn, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has suggested Viet Nam and Malaysia should work hand in hand to elevate their annual bilateral trade to US$15 billion or beyond by 2020.

He stated that Viet Nam always places high importance on its relations with Malaysia and showed his elation at the sound political ties based on mutual trust and shared interests. 

Viet Nam desires to establish close ties with the new government, as well as the new ruling party and parliament of Malaysia, he said, while calling on both countries to strengthen high-level delegation exchange and hoping to welcome Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s official visit to Viet Nam soon.

With regard to considerable progress in the two countries’ relations after 45 years of diplomatic ties, PM Phuc highlighted Malaysia as one of the most effective economic partners of Viet Nam in ASEAN with fruitful cooperation in maritime issues, labour, tourism, and education-training. 

The country also encourages Malaysian investment projects on high-quality infrastructure, energy, port, logistics, high-tech agriculture, wood and food processing and smart city development.

The cabinet leader voiced hope that the Malaysian Government will direct relevant authorities to offer favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, to lead a stable life with ensured legal status and salary.

As both countries share common interests in the region, they need to augment closer cooperation in building an ASEAN Community of solidarity, resilience and development that plays a central role in the regional architecture. In the context of complicated developments in the East Sea, Vietnam, Malaysia and other ASEAN member states should further promote their coordination to adopt a common stance, he emphasized.

Phuc told his guest that the National Assembly of Viet Nam is expected to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) at its ongoing sixth session and expects Malaysia to work out a plan to pass the trade deal soon.

                                                                                                                By Vien Nhu