Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian Minister of Foreign AffairsZambry Abdul Kadir has expressed his satisfaction that the future of Malaysia - Vietnam relations looks very promising, and that both countrieswill continue to engage even more closely for greater success.

In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agencyon the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomaticrelationship (March 30, 1973 - 2023), he also described the deepeningof bilateral relations over the past 50 years as remarkable and outstanding,saying through the years, Vietnam has emerged as one of Malaysia’s closest partners,economically and socially, and that the strength of the ties was reflected bythe elevation of bilateral relations to a strategic partnership in 2015.

Numerousactivities have been undertaken under the ambit of the strategic partnershipwhich are guided by the Plan of Action (POA). The first POA 2017 - 2019 wassuccessfully implemented, resulting in robust and mutually-beneficial cooperationacross various sectors, while the latest POA 2021 - 2025 involvesnew cooperation, notably in post-pandemic recovery efforts both from theeconomic and public health perspectives.

“Based on the inputs thatI received, the POA 2021 - 2025 is progressing very well,” he said.

“Aswe are embarking on a significant milestone this year with the celebration ofthe 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Iam confident that this historic moment will further strengthen our bilateralties.”

Heaffirmed that Malaysia highly values its relations with Vietnam. It is committed tocultivating close friendship and bilateral relations with Vietnam and tofurther expand cooperation in emerging areas of mutual interests betweenthe two countries.

Malaysia isimpressed by Vietnam’s strong economic performance over the past decade, Kadirnoted, adding that he believes the two countries should strengthen the economicpartnership by encouraging more trade and investment flows. In this regard,Malaysia stands ready to explore together opportunities to improve marketaccess for leading exports of both countries.

He said his countryis pleased that bilateral cooperation in defence and security is advancing well. It looksforward to the renewal of the countries’ memorandum of understanding on defencecooperation which expired in 2018, as the new document will enable a more focused andstructured framework between the two defence establishments.

Under theoverarching framework for strategic partnership, the two sides have witnessed astrong and substantive development in bilateral cooperation across multiplefacets. Malaysia envisions that the framework will continue to be the pillar thatguides cooperation between the two countries in the forthcoming years,according to the official.

About themost effective areas of cooperation, he perceived that thedeepening of relations at all levels, including between leaders, businesses,and people-to-people, is the most effective, which is imperative as bothcountries embark on further efforts to improve economic gains and politicalcohesion for mutual benefits.

“Malaysia is pleased with the excellent state of bilateral relations withVietnam. Our longstanding ties have gone stronger over the years. We are fully committed to strengthening the Strategic Partnership, in apursuit of social-economic development in both countries,” Kadir noted.

In the interview, he also highlighted the over 40 years ofcooperation in news exchange between the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Through the news provided by BERNAMA and the VNA, peoples of bothcountries today are more aware of each other’s demography, language, culturalelements, food, customs, and tourism places, and that they are most welcomed ateach other’s country.  In a nutshell,both BERNAMA and the VNA over the years have played a constructive role infostering better understanding between the peoples of Malaysia and Vietnam, theForeign Minister added./.