Vietnam and Malaysia aim to soon approve the Action Programme to realise the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2025-2028 period and work towards the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Halal. Additionally, both nations will expand cooperation in areas such as digital economy, green economy, just energy transition, science and technology, innovation, smart agriculture, e-government, and cybersecurity.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) 📖- Vietnam is a key strategic partner for Malaysia in the region, affirmed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, reiterating his strong commitment to enhancing practical cooperation between the two nations under their newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
At a working breakfast with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on February 26 during his visit to Vietnam and participation in the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi, the Malaysian leader spoke highly of Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development over the past time.
PM Chinh highlighted the significance of Ibrahim’s visit, saying it takes place right after the upgrading of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He congratulated Malaysia on its notable attainments, including its position as one of the world’s top 27 most competitive economies, expressing his belief that Malaysia will achieve its ambitious development targets under the MADANI economic policy introduced by Prime Minister Ibrahim.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the progress of bilateral ties, particularly following Ibrahim’s official visit to Vietnam in July 2023 and Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Malaysia in November 2024.
Political trust and cooperation have been strengthened through the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high level, and the effectiveness of various bilateral cooperation mechanisms in politics, diplomacy, defence, security, economy, and culture.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with members of the two countries' delegations. (Photo: VNA)
Trade and investment collaboration continues to deepen, with Malaysia being Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner and third-biggest investor in ASEAN. The two nations has also seen significant strides in cooperation in key areas such as defence, security, energy, labour, agriculture, and food security, as well as emerging sectors like green economy and digital economy.
Regarding future cooperation orientations, the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges and contacts at all levels and across multiple channels; and organise the 8th meeting of Vietnam-Malaysia Joint Commission for Economic, Technical and Scientific Cooperation this year. They also aim to soon approve the Action Programme to realise the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2025-2028 period and work towards the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of Halal. Additionally, both nations will expand cooperation in areas such as digital economy, green economy, just energy transition, science and technology, innovation, smart agriculture, e-government, and cybersecurity.
The two PMs also emphasised the importance of maritime and ocean cooperation, agreeing to strengthen collaboration on maritime issues and establish a hotline to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Other areas for enhanced cooperation include education, training, labour, agriculture, culture, and sports, he said, adding the two nations should increase the frequency of flights between them.
Regarding multilateral and regional cooperation, both sides expressed appreciation for the countries' consistent coordination and mutual support in candidacies for international organizations. They reaffirmed their commitment to working closely together, along with other ASEAN nations, to build a united and cohesive ASEAN, strengthen intra-bloc cooperation, and reinforce ASEAN’s central role in addressing regional strategic challenges.
PM Chinh expressed full support for Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, in line with this year’s theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability. He voiced confidence that Malaysia will lead ASEAN towards greater solidarity, resilience, and achievements.
The two leaders also agreed to closely coordinate to ensure the full and serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and expediting negotiations for the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), towards building the East Sea into a sea of peace, stablity, cooperation and development./.
In his speech at the 2025 ASEAN Banking and Finance Summit in Kuala Lumpur on February 25, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said the bloc’s energy transition cannot occur in isolation and that no country can achieve its sustainability goals without strong regional cooperation.
Malaysia, serving as the ASEAN chair this year, has agreed to expedite Timor-Leste's membership process following a decision made at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat held in Langkawi in January.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is set to deliver a keynote address at the second ASEAN Future Forum (AFF), to be held in Hanoi on February 25-26. His speech is expected to focus on key regional issues, including digital economy, green growth, and sustainable development.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
