M’sia and Philippines pledge to work together

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and the Philippines have affirmed their commitment and stance in key issues such as political and economic cooperation, security threats, the South China Sea dispute and the Korean Peninsula conflict.

This follows a visit by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to the Philippines on Wednesday and Thursday at the invitation of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Both Dr Mahathir and Duterte had also commended the progress on Malaysian-Philippine bilateral relations and affirmed their wish for further improvement.

In a joint statement between the two countries released yesterday, the two leaders agreed to enhance trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation in support of each other’s growing economy by putting in place domestic measures to boost competitiveness, improve the ease of doing business and develop human resources.

Both also agreed to address security threats, particularly terrorism and transnational crime.

“President Duterte conveyed the appreciation of his government to Malaysia for its partnership and support for the cause of peace in Mindanao, including through its valuable role as the Third Party Facilitator and/or Special Adviser to the Peace Process and as member of the International Monitoring Team (IMT), which helped pave the way towards peace and prosperity for the Bangsamoro, with the successful establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the appointment of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority.

“Both governments agreed to cooperate further to realise the dividends of this peace for Mindanao through development and even private sector initiatives,” it said.

On the South China Sea, the leaders emphasised the importance of maintaining and promoting peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation in and overflight above the South China Sea.