Hosting a reception in Hanoi on October 25 for Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is on official visit to Vietnam to attend the third ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Women (AMMW) and related meetings, PM Phuc stressed that Vietnam wants to set up close relations with Malaysia’s new government, ruling party and parliament.

He suggested both countries enhance high-level delegation exchanges and hoped to welcome Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on his official visit to Vietnam soon.

The two nations have seen advancements in their relations after 45 years of diplomatic ties establishment. Describing Malaysia as one of the most effective economic partners of Vietnam, PM Phuc said that both sides are enjoying fruitful cooperation in maritime issues, labour, tourism, and education-training. 

He expressed his belief that Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in their talks on October 26, will detail practical measures to bolster bilateral relations in the coming time, thus developing the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership intensively.

On the occasion, he recommended both sides should work to raise two-way trade to 15 billion USD per year or higher by 2020. 

Vietnam wants to stably export rice, farm produce and seafood to Malaysia, he said, proposing the Malaysian Government support Vietnamese firms to satisfy Halal standards.

Regarding investment, Vietnam encourages Malaysian projects in high-quality infrastructure, energy, port, logistics, high-tech agriculture, wood and food processing and smart city development, PM Phuc said.

He hoped that the Malaysian Government will order relevant authorities to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the country, ensuring that they have a stable life.

As both countries have mutual benefits in the region, they should step up cooperation to build an ASEAN Community of solidarity, resilience and development that plays a central role in the regional architecture. In the context of complicated development in the East Sea, Vietnam, Malaysia and other ASEAN members should enhance coordination to reach a common stance.

The Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister said that Malaysia always values the policy of strengthening friendship and collaboration with Vietnam.

As the training programme for Vietnamese officials has been carried out since 1991, Malaysia hopes to welcome more Vietnamese cadres to study, do research and exchange experience in the country. 

She said that Malaysia wants to foster trade ties with Vietnam, who holds a very important role in the region and thanked the Vietnamese Government for facilitating Malaysian businesses’ operation in the country.

As Malaysian PETRONAS Group has been present in Vietnam for a long time, she hoped that the enterprise will continue receiving support from the Vietnamese Government. 

Also, she agreed that both sides should further maritime and fishery cooperation, saying Malaysia wants to ensure maritime security, safety, peace and stability in the East Sea. 

She said that the Malaysian Government always pays due attention to addressing Vietnamese labour issues in the country.