Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim in Vientiane, Laos, on October 10, on the occasion of the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related summits.

Expressing his gratitude to Malaysia for its support for Vietnam’s recovery from the recent Typhoon Yagi via the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, PM Chinh said such assistance reflects the bloc’s spirit of solidarity and resilience in the face of common challenges.

The two PMs praised the efforts by both countries’ ministries and sectors in implementing the agreed-upon issues, thus further deepening the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership in a result-oriented manner.

Discussing future cooperation orientations, they agreed to increase high-level mutual visits and effectively carry out bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the two nations’ joint committee on trade. The leaders pledged to strengthen collaboration in areas such as security, education, aviation, tourism, as well as emerging sectors like green economy and digital economy, aiming to elevate bilateral relations to a new height.

Lauding the Vietnamese and Malaysian defence ministries for actively implementing the countries’ memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, signed in December last year, PM Chinh called for the early signing of agreements in other mutually beneficial fields, including security, education, and aviation.

Additionally, he proposed establishing a consultation and management mechanism for maritime affairs, and giving humanitarian treatment to detained fishing vessels and fishermen in line with international law and the sound bilateral ties.

PM Ibrahim agreed with his Vietnamese counterpart about elevating bilateral ties to a new level soon.

He underscored his country’s readiness to work with Vietnam to comprehensively improve upon their cooperation in security - defence, trade - investment, and maritime economy. Malaysia will support Vietnam’s efforts to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing removed.

Discussing regional issues, the Vietnamese leader highly valued Malaysia’s coordination in building an ASEAN Community of sustainable development playing the central role in regional processes.

Vietnam is committed to supporting Malaysia, which will act as ASEAN Chair in 2025, and the comprehensive implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, he remarked.

PM Chi💛nh also called on Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair next year, to closely cooperate with Vietnam and other member states in maintaining the bloc’s common stance on regional and international issues, particularly the East Sea issue./.