Anifah’s Hanoi visit boosts relations, commitment

KUALA LUMPUR: Diplomatic ties between Malaysia and Vietnam took on a new level following a three-day visit by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman to Hanoi.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to the Malaysia-Vietnam Strategic Partnership announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and then Vietnamese prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2015.

Anifah and his counterpart, Vietnamese Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, co-chaired the 5th Joint Commission Meeting on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam.

Both the ministers signed the Agreed Minutes after the meeting.

According to a statement by the Foreign Ministry, the visit, from July 26 to 28, allowed both countries to take stock of the rapid progress of their bilateral relations and enhance mutual understanding towards regional stability, peace and prosperity.

“With regard to the bilateral relations between the nations, which will celebrate its 45th anniversary next year, both countries agreed to work together to expand multiple areas for mutual benefits and exchange high-level of visits,” the statement said.

“In that regard, Anifah extended the Malaysian government’s invitation to the Vietnamese prime minister and the general secretary of the ruling party to visit Malaysia next year.

“On economic cooperation, both sides would create favourable conditions to promote imports and exports of goods, including agricultural and fishery products, and agreed to boost goods exchange and investment flows.

“In the aspect of defence and security cooperation, the two sides stressed on the importance of cooperation between navies, including sharing information on strategy, military and security issues.

“The two countries also expressed their views on regional and international issues, including the South China Sea.”

Apart from the recent meeting, Anifah also paid a courtesy call on Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.