Malaysia has become the 4th ASEAN country to establish strategic partnership with Viet Nam, following Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.
The decision to upgrade ties will open up a new era for the two countries, said Malaysian PM Najib Rajak.

Meanwhile, PM Dung said that the strategic partnership will create a new impetus for the bilateral ties and effectively contribute to the ASEAN Community, to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

During their talks with the Malaysian counterpart on August 7, PM Dung congratulated on the great achievements Malaysia has made during its national development process and spoke highly of Malaysia’s contributions as the Chair of ASEAN in 2015 and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2015-2016 phase.

For his side, the Malaysia PM affirmed that his country attaches importance to  cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in such areas like economy, trade, investment, tourism, education, labor, defense and security.

The two leaders agreed to further enhance the exchange of high-ranking delegations and people-to-people ties, quickly develop an Action Plan in the 2015-2018 period to realize the strategic partnership relations.

They also agreed to soon set up Deputy Ministerial-level defense dialogue mechanism, sign a memorandum of understanding on joint patrol, cooperate in search and rescue and piracy fighting.

To further expand economic cooperation, the two nations were unanimous in promoting trade within the frameworks of the future Trans-Pacific Partnership and the ASEAN Economic Community.

The two countries agreed that they will sign a Governmental-level Memorandum of Understanding on rice trading in the 2015-2020 phase.

East Sea issue

The two PMs discussed widely and deeply on regional and international issues of mutual concern, agreeing to strengthen ASEAN solidarity and maintain the bloc’s common voice and central role in the issues related to security and interests of each country and the region as well.

They shared their concerns over recent happenings on the East Sea, which have undermined trust peace, security and stability in the region.

The two PMs re-affirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea and tackling all disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations on the Law of the Sea.

They stressed the necessity for all parties to fully observe the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, exercise self-restraint and avoid any actions that may escalate tensions in the region.

Both PMs emphasized the importance for the early establishment of an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) while urging all parties to increase consultations and intensified efforts towards building, maintaining and enhancing mutual trust as well as finding durable solution to the disputes in the East Sea./.