‘DETAILS TO BE FINALISED SOON’
Health protocols and application processes among items being discussed
THE operational details of the Reciprocal Recognition of Vaccine Certificate between Malaysia and Singapore are expected to be finalised soon.
The matter is being deliberated by the two countries, said their foreign ministers in a joint statement released after a bilateral meeting in Putrajaya yesterday.
At the meeting, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and his Singaporean counterpart, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, reaffirmed their commitment to recognise each other’s Covid-19 vaccination certification to facilitate cross-border travel between both countries.
The operational details of Reciprocal Recognition of Vaccine Certificate include health protocols and application processes.
“The two ministers had a constructive discussion on their respective national vaccination rollout plans underway in Malaysia and Singapore, and how this could facilitate crossborder travel between them in the near future,” read the joint statement.
Hishammuddin and Dr Balakrishnan also reaffirmed the commitment by both countries to continue to make progress on their respective national vaccination programmes to inoculate long-term residents, including Malaysians in Singapore and vice versa.
On cross-border travel, Malaysia and Singapore would remain committed to restoring it for other groups in addition to the Reciprocal Green Lane and the Periodic Commuting Arrangement, at the same time taking into account the Covid-19 situation in both countries and ensuring the health and safety of residents of both countries.
Additionally, the two ministers discussed the convening of the 10th Leaders’ Retreat, to be hosted by Singapore where they agreed to work towards restarting face-to-face bilateral engagements.
They also reviewed bilateral cooperation and looked forward to strengthening ties to stimulate recovery from the effects of the global pandemic.
“Both ministers reaffirmed the excellent and longstanding relations between Malaysia and Singapore.
“They also highlighted the importance of strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in overcoming common challenges, including the resumption of people-to-people movements, while safeguarding public health and safety of residents in both countries,” the statement said.
Wisma Putra, in a separate statement, said that Dr Balakrishnan was on a two-day trip to Malaysia. He is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Dr Balakrishnan also plans to hold meetings with Senior International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.