Hanoi (VNA) – MalaysianPrime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on August 28 wrapped up his two-day officialvisit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

During his stay in Vietnam, PM Mahathir held talks with PM Phuc; and paid acourtesy visit to General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam andPresident Nguyen Phu Trong.

The Malaysian PM also visited FPT Group and held a dialogue with students ofFPT University at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi, and made a field trip to theNoi Bai Industrial Park.

At these meetings, the two sides noted with pleasure the strong development ofthe Vietnam-Malaysia relationship over the past time.

They shared the views that the two countries should enhance and deepen thestrategic partnership given profound changes in Asia-Pacific and theAssociation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in particular with bothopportunities and challenges, for the sake of the Vietnamese and Malaysianpeople, and for peace, cooperation and prosperous development in the region andthe world.

The two sides issued a joint statement, under which they agreed to maintainfrequent high-level contacts and increase discussions on strategic issuesthrough the exchange of high-level visits, as well as regular exchanges amongpolitical parties, governmental and parliamentary delegations.

The two leaders also pledged toexpand bilateral cooperation through the existing mechanisms and consultationsplatforms, including the Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific andTechnological Cooperation (JCM) and the Senior Officials’ Strategic Dialogue(SOSD).

They consented to increase bilateral exchanges in defense through the promptestablishment of the High Level Committee (HLC) on Defence Cooperation. Bothsides agreed to hold the first meeting of the HLC on Defence Cooperation thatwill be hosted by Vietnam in 2019.

Both sides affirmed their commitment to enhancing further the cooperation inpreventing and combating transnational and high-tech crimes, and other crimesrelated to drugs, piracy, terrorism and illegal immigration.

They concurred to promote the mutual import and export of each country’sproducts, including electrical and electronics, petroleum products, chemicalsand chemical products, manufactures of metal, machinery, equipment and parts,agricultural produce, palm oil, halal products, seafood, as well as garmentsand textiles, and raise the total trade to reach 15 billion USD or higher by2020.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation between investment agencies andbusinesses of the two countries, including coordination to organise investmentpromotion events so that enterprises can seek investment opportunities in eachnation.

They were unanimous to enhance cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit andwelcomed the organisation of the Joint Working GroupMeeting to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on Labour Recruitment andPlacement signed in 2015.

Besides, the two nations agreed to promote comprehensive connectivity and boostcultural and arts exchanges and tourism by increasing the frequency ofVietnam-Malaysia direct flights. Both sides agreed to finalise the Air ServicesAgreement (ASA) for signing at a suitable time.

Both sides also agreed to give dueattention to and provide favorable conditions for the two countries’ public andnon-governmental organisations, particularly the business and friendshipassociations, to increase exchanges and cooperation as part of the joint effortto promote cooperation in economics, tourism and culture. Both sides encouragedtheir respective localities to step up cooperation through the exchange ofdelegations at various levels and share management expertise, particularly in urbanplanning, transport infrastructure, and innovative entrepreneurship.

The two PMs emphasised the importance of maintaining ASEAN unity andcentrality, and ensuring the full and effective implementation of the ASEANCommunity Vision 2025. They reaffirmed their commitment to work with otherASEAN members in promoting a cohesive, coherent, resilient, responsive andinnovative ASEAN Community that plays a central role in the evolving regionalarchitecture.

Both sides underlined the importance of maintaining peace, stability, securityand the rule of law in the region, which includes the safety, security andfreedom of navigation and over-flight in the East Sea and expressed seriousconcerns over recent developments in the East Sea. The two sides agreed that disputesshall be resolved through peaceful means, including the full respect for legaland diplomatic processes, without resorting to the threat or use of force, inaccordance with the principles of international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Malaysian Prime MinisterMahathir Mohamad witnessed the signing of a letter of intent on an MoU oncooperation in legal enforcement and search and rescue at sea, and the exchangeof letters on the establishment of Malaysia-Vietnam friendshipparliamentarians’ group.-VNA