1. At the invitation of His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Viet Nam, His Excellency Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Madam Rosmah Mansor paid an official visit to Viet Nam from 3 to 5 April 2014. This is the first visit to Viet Nam by His Excellency Najib Tun Abdul Razak in his capacity as the Prime Minister of Malaysia.

2. During the visit in Ha Noi, Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak attended the official welcome ceremony, held a bilateral meeting and attended the reception hosted by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung; paid courtesy calls on His Excellency Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam and His Excellency Truong Tan Sang, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam; visited a Malaysia investment project. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak also met with the Malaysian community in Hanoi and had a meeting with the Vietnamese and Malaysian business community.

3. During the official talks, Leaders of the two countries informed each other of the socio-economic development in each respective country, discussed ways to further elevate relations for a comprehensive partnership between the two countries, regional and international issues of common interest. They highlighted the significance of this visit and noted with satisfaction the sound development of the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in all areas over the last 40 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations. They reaffirmed the commitment to intensify the comprehensive partnership in all areas in the coming years toward the establishment of a strategic partnership, in the interest of the two peoples, for peace, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

4. Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak took this opportunity to express his heartfelt gratitude and appreciation to Viet Nam’s assistance during the early days of SAR operation in locating the missing aircraft MH370 of Malaysia Airlines. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak also highly valued Viet Nam’s immediate action by deploying of its assets and sharing relevant information pertaining to the missing aircraft. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak emphasized that Malaysia’s prime intention was to find the missing aircraft and would never abandon its efforts until the aircraft had been found. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his deep sympathies and condolences to Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak, the people of Malaysia and the bereaved families of the victims of flight MH370.

5. Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak congratulated the Vietnamese people on the important achievements recorded in the course of reform and national development, expressed his confidence that Viet Nam would successfully implement its 2011 – 2020 Socio-economic Development Strategy. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highly valued the achievements attained by the people of Malaysia in the cause of nation-building and development, expressed conviction that under the leadership of Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Malaysia would rapidly achieve the goals set forth in “Vision 2020”.

6. Regarding Viet Nam-Malaysia relations, the two sides agreed to continue to increase regular exchanges of high-level visits and contacts at all levels, promote cooperation in all areas and people-to-people exchanges, soon organize the fifth Session of the Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation with a view to further broadening and deepening bilateral cooperation in these areas.

7. Both sides agreed to intensify defense and security cooperation, including the proposal to establish  a Joint Committee on bilateral defence relations, which is in line with the Memorandum of Understanding on Bilateral Defence Cooperation signed in August 2008, as well as the  establishment of 'hotline' between the two navies. Both sides also agreed to expedite the signing of the MOU on Prevention and Combat of Transnational Crimes.

8. Both sides expressed satisfaction over the strong increase of the bilateral trade turnover, agreed to increase trade volume to USD11 billion before 2015, and considered the possibility of signing an MOU between the two Governments on rice trade to facilitate stable and long-term cooperation in this field. Both sides reaffirmed commitments in maintaining favorable conditions for investors of both sides to explore business and investment opportunities in each country.

9. The two Leaders witnessed the signing of the MOU on Agricultural Cooperation between Viet Nam and Malaysia and applauded the MOU’s significance in accelerating agriculture cooperation between the two countries.

10. The two Leaders agreed on the strengthening of bilateral cooperation on labour matters and tasked relevant agencies to review the MOU on The Recruitment of Vietnamese Workers. The two Leaders also encouraged the enhancement and expansion of, among others, cooperation in other potential areas including energy, transportation, education, tourism, legislation, justice, etc.

11. With regard to regional and international issues, the Leaders of the two countries agreed to maintain close cooperation and coordination in regional and international forums, particularly ASEAN and the United Nations, and to work together with other ASEAN member countries to build a resilient and united ASEAN Community by 2015. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung reaffirmed Viet Nam’s commitment to do its utmost to coordinate with and support Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2015.

12. The two Leaders exchanged views on the recent developments in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the importance of upholding ASEAN’s unity and centrality in the maintenance of peace and stability, maritime security, freedom of navigation in and over flight above the South China Sea. The two Leaders called on all parties concerned to resolve their disputes through peaceful means in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to avoid resorting to force or the threat of the use of force and to undertake self-restraint in the conduct of activities. The Leaders urged for the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), the ASEAN 6-point Principles on the South China Sea and expedited efforts towards the establishment of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

13. Regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the two sides agreed to intensify cooperation towards the early conclusion of TPP negotiations, while ensuring flexibility, appropriate transition, technical support and capacity-building for developing countries.

14. Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak and Madam expressed deep gratitude to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Madam, the Government and people of Viet Nam for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to the Malaysian delegation. Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak invited Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Madam to pay an official visit to Malaysia at a convenient time. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung accepted the invitation with pleasure. The time for the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

Ha Noi, 4 April 2014