Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim held a joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur on May 25 to announce the outcomes of their official talks, which took place earlier the same day as part of the former’s ongoing official visit to Malaysia.

At the conference, PM Anwar Ibrahim described Vietnam as a close and cherished friend holding a special place in his heart and that of the Malaysian people. He expressed deep admiration for the nation’s struggle for national independence and late President Ho Chi Minh, noting that he used to join intellectuals of Malaysian and some other ASEAN countries in activities advocating Vietnam's fight for independence and freedom.

He highlighted the highly successful talks between he and the Vietnamese leaders, saying that both agreed to advance bilateral relations across various sectors through concrete projects and actions to implement the existing agreements and cooperation mechanisms between the two countries and within ASEAN. A key area of cooperation includes the establishment of an interconnected electricity network between Vietnam, Malaysia, and the broader ASEAN region.

PM Ibrahim lauded the notable progress already achieved under the two countries’ recently established comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly in trade, investment, tourism, agriculture, education and training, and maritime cooperation. He also took note of joint efforts in addressing issues of shared concern.

The host expressed confidence that Vietnam – Malaysia relations will grow even stronger in the time to come.

For his part, PM Chinh described the talks as open and greatly successful across all aspects, reflecting the two sides’ mutual understanding and shared commitment to further deepening bilateral ties in a comprehensive, inclusive, substantive, and effective manner, in line with the aspirations and potential of both nations as well as their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides agreed to quickly finalise the action plan for implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership for 2025–2030 and establish a meeting mechanism between the two PMs.

Vietnam and Malaysia will enhance defence and security cooperation for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in each country and the region as a whole. They will promote the negotiation of a code of conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is efficient and substantive and based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), PM Chinh noted.

He went on to say that the two sides also agreed to foster collaboration in economy, trade, and investment, especially in agriculture, food production, halal product manufacturing, tourism, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Appreciating Malaysia’s assistance for the Vietnamese community in the country and recognition of the Malaysia – Vietnam Friendship Association, PM Chinh said Vietnam highly values the role of and efforts by Malaysia as Chair of ASEAN this year, particularly in promoting ASEAN’s centrality and the building of an ASEAN with unity in diversity amid current global uncertainties.

On this occasion, the two sides inked several important cooperation documents, he noted, emphasising that Vietnam wishes to connect the two economies and the entire ASEAN as well, including business connectivity, people-to-people connectivity, along with hard and soft connectivity to maintain stability, peace, cooperation, and development in the region to work towards fast and sustainable development, secure social progress and equality, and ensure social security, thus leaving no one behind.

The Vietnamese leader perceived that the two countries have made a great stride. Following the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, his visit aims to convey a message about the confidence, political resolve, and efforts to transform the signed documents and messages into concrete actions and measurable results.

Stating that Vietnam and Malaysia can form a cooperation model in ASEAN that is politically durable, economically strong, culturally profound, and broad in vision, PM Chinh voiced his belief that Malaysia will successfully serve as ASEAN Chair in 2025, firstly successfully holding the 46th ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit, and the ASEAN – GCC – China Summit, so as to enlarge of scope and scale of cooperation for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Earlier, the Vietnamese and Malaysian PMs witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between the two sides, including a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Vietnam Electricity and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) of Malaysia, a letter of intent on cooperation between the Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City and the National University of Malaysia, and another letter of intent on cooperation between the Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the National University of Malaysia.

PMs talk measures for promoting Vietnam – Malaysia relations

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim held talks in Kuala Lumpur on May 25, discussing measures for enhancing the two countries’ relations in the time ahead.

The event took place as part of PM Chinh’s official visit to Malaysia, during which he will also attend the 46th ASEAN Summit and related summits.

PM Ibrahim offered condolences to the State and people of Vietnam over the passing of former State President Tran Duc Luong.

Welcoming PM Chinh, his spouse, and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, the host expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and reunification, along with its remarkable achievements during the Doi moi (renewal) and development process, including the sustained stable economic growth, improved business climate, and better living standards for the people.

He said he believes that under the clear-sighted leadership of the high-ranking leaders of Vietnam, the Vietnamese people will reap more successes on the development path, soon realising the goal of becoming a modern industrialised country by 2045.

PM Chinh conveyed regards from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the king and other leaders of Malaysia. He also invited Malaysia to send a delegation to the ceremony marking Vietnam’s 80th National Day anniversary in Hanoi this September.

PM Chinh thanked his host for the positive remarks about Vietnam, affirming that Vietnam always values and wishes to further strengthen the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Malaysia.

He emphasised that his visit aims to create new momentum to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, especially as the two sides have just agreed to finalise the action plan for implementing this partnership in the 2025–2030 period. It is also meant to convey a message of both countries’ strong determination to cooperate and pursue resilient and sustainable development, actively contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region.

Sharing about Vietnam’s achievements during its Doi moi process, the Vietnamese Government leader said the country is striving to implement major tasks, including streamlining the political apparatus and reforming institutional frameworks to unlock all resources for development; identifying science - technology development, innovation, and digital transformation as the top breakthroughs to be made; strongly promoting the role of the private economic sector; and accelerating the renewal process while integrating into the international community in a proactive, extensive, and effective manner.

The two sides showed their satisfaction with the development of bilateral relations in the recent past, especially since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in November 2024.

Accordingly, political and diplomatic ties have been increasingly strengthened. Economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a highlight in the relationship, with bilateral trade reaching 14.2 billion USD in 2024. Malaysia remains among the top 10 foreign investors in Vietnam, with total registered capital exceeding 13 billion USD.

Both sides acknowledged cooperation progress in defence – security, energy, education – training, science – technology, tourism, labour, and people-to-people exchange.

They noted the cooperation agreements signed between the Vietnam National University, Hanoi and the Vietnam National University, HCM City, and the National University of Malaysia on this occasion.

Regarding future cooperation, the two sides consented to step up delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels and across all channels, and move towards establishing a flexible annual exchange mechanism between the two countries’ high-ranking leaders.

They will continue effectively implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and strive to raise bilateral trade turnover to 20 billion USD by 2030 in a balanced manner.

They also committed to minimising trade barriers, facilitating import and export of key potential and strong sectors such as agricultural and aquatic products, food, electronic components, and construction materials, while expanding cooperation in digital economy, circular economy, and green economy.

PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is ready to supply Malaysia with a stable and long-term rice source and suggested Malaysia help Vietnam in the halal industry, urging an early signing of a cooperation document in this field.

The leaders concurred to strengthen collaboration in defence and security, and to push ahead with the signing of related agreements, and exchanged views on boosting cooperation in defence industry and training.

They agreed to establish cooperation mechanisms between the two countries’ naval, air force, and coast guard forces; to coordinate efforts in counterterrorism and combating transnational crimes; and to enhance collaboration against terrorist and reactionary groups. They emphasised that no individual or organisation is permitted to use one country’s territory to act against the other. The two PMs stressed the importance of maritime and ocean cooperation and agreed to consider establishing a consultation mechanism on maritime issues and a hotline to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Their agreement also covered support for Vietnam to soon have the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning against its seafood sector lifted.

The leaders concurred to enhance cooperation in various other fields. They said they will consider expediting the signing of new air transport and tourism cooperation agreements, increasing flight frequency, and strengthening partnerships in education, training, labour, agriculture, culture, and sports.

PM Chinh thanked the Malaysian Government and called for its maintenance of favourable conditions for the Vietnamese expatriate community’s long-term, stable life, work, and study. He also encouraged Malaysia to support the activities of the Malaysia – Vietnam Friendship Association, contributing to stronger people-to-people ties.

On regional and multilateral cooperation, the two sides highlighted mutual support in candidatures for international organisations. PM Chinh once again affirmed that Vietnam will closely coordinate with Malaysia – the ASEAN Chair this year – and with other member states to implement the set priorities, towards building a sustainable and inclusive bloc.

The two Government leaders agreed to maintain ASEAN’s common stance on the East Sea issue, to continue coordination in the next phase of negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the waters (COC), and to make active contributions to building a substantive, effective document in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.VNA