Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always attaches much importance to its relationswith Malaysia, one of the country’s leading partners in the region, PrimeMinister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.

Hostinga reception in Hanoi on October 25 for Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister WanAzizah Wan Ismail, who is on official visit to Vietnam to attend the thirdASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Women (AMMW) and related meetings, PM Phucstressed that Vietnam wants to set up close relations with Malaysia’s newgovernment, ruling party and parliament.

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

The two nations have seen advancements in their relations after 45 years ofdiplomatic ties establishment. Describing Malaysia as one of the most effectiveeconomic partners of Vietnam, PM Phuc said that both sides are enjoyingfruitful cooperation in maritime issues, labour, tourism, andeducation-training.

Heexpressed his belief that Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and WanAzizah Wan Ismail, in their talks on October 26, will detail practical measuresto bolster bilateral relations in the coming time, thus developing theVietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership intensively.

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

Vietnam wants to stably export rice, farm produce and seafood to Malaysia, hesaid, proposing the Malaysian Government support Vietnamese firms to satisfyHalal standards.

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

He hoped that the Malaysian Government will order relevant authorities tocreate 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 upcooperation to build an ASEAN Community of solidarity, resilience anddevelopment that plays a central role in the regional architecture. In thecontext of complicated development in the East Sea, Vietnam, Malaysia and otherASEAN members should enhance coordination to reach a common stance.

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

As the training programme for Vietnamese officials has been carried out since1991, Malaysia hopes to welcome more Vietnamese cadres to study, do researchand exchange experience in the country.

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

As Malaysian PETRONAS Group has been present in Vietnam for a long time, shehoped that the enterprise will continue receiving support from the VietnameseGovernment.

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

She said that the Malaysian Government always pays due attention to addressingVietnamese labour issues in the country.-VNA