PM Chinh welcomed the Malaysian Foreign Minister and his Vietnamese counterpart to co-chair the seventh meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation from July 19-20, contributing to reviewing the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two countries and preparing for the official Vietnam visit by the Malaysian Prime Minister and his spouse from July 20-21.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Zambry Abdul Kadir.

FM Zambry Abdul Kadir, for his part, affirmed that Malaysia always values and wishes to further enhance multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, its sole strategic partner within ASEAN.

Both sides expressed their satisfaction with the two countries' achievements made in various areas, especially in economy, trade and investment. Malaysia is now Vietnam’s second largest trade partner in ASEAN and the ninth biggest in the world. Two-way trade surpassed 14.8 billion USD last year, up 17.9% annually. Malaysia is also among the top 10 biggest investors in Vietnam, with 718 valid projects with a total registered capital of 13 billion USD.

PM Chinh suggested both sides continue with effective cooperation in various fields under the Plan of Action to Implement the Strategic Partnership for the 2021-2025 period, facilitate the exchange of delegations at high level and jointly hold celebrations for the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. He expressed his desire to achieve a balanced two-way trade volume of 18 billion USD.

Vietnam will create favourable conditions for Malaysian firms to expand their operations in the country, he said.

He stressed that the two sides need to bolster collaboration in other important areas such as national defence, security, maritime, education-training, sci-tech, labour, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people exchange, while expanding joint work in emerging fields such as digital economy, circular economy, and green energy.

The host proposed Malaysia help Vietnam build capacity and develop Halal industry, as well as recognise Vietnam's efforts in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and support the European Union’s removal of the IUU yellow card warning against Vietnam's fisheries industry.

The guest pledged that at the meeting of the commission on July 20, both sides will review and propose directions for the implementation of bilateral high-level agreements.

The upcoming Vietnam visit by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim will contribute to deepening bilateral strategic partnership in a substantial manner, he stressed.

He also shared the view that both sides need to work closely together at global and regional forums, maintain the unity and central role of ASEAN, and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam welcomes over 5.5 international visitors in six months

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) on June 28 announced that the country welcomed over 5.57 million foreign tourists in the first six months of 2023.

Delegations of Hekou district (China) and Xaysomboun province (Laos) visit Bac Giang

(BGO) – At the invitation of Luc Ngan district, a working delegation of Hekou district, Honghe County of China’s Yunnan province led by the Secretary of the District Party Committee Wu Yang on June 27 visited Bac Giang province.

Swiss National Council President pays official visit to Vietnam

President of the Swiss National Council Martin Candinas arrived in Hanoi on June 27, beginning an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

PM Pham Minh Chinh arrives in Beijing, starts official visit to China

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh arrived in Beijing on June 25 afternoon, starting his official visit to China.

Source: VNA