KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama): As Malaysia and Vietnam celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties this year, both countries remain assured in the mutual commitment of strengthening their Strategic Partnership and continue to strive towards peace and prosperity in the region and the world.
In a Joint Press Communique, Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir and his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son said notwithstanding the challenges faced during the years of relationship building, Malaysia and Vietnam continue to focus on the opportunities to bring bilateral and regional relations closer together.
"The shared focus of interests has contributed to the ASEAN Community that has been a primary driving force in the larger regional architecture.
"As we celebrate this auspicious occasion, we further reaffirm our commitment to deepening political and economic cooperation. Towards this end, we remain committed to implement the Plan of Action 2021 - 2025 under the Strategic Partnership between Malaysia and Vietnam,” said the joint statement.
Issued in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations between Malaysia and Vietnam, the statement said both foreign ministers will also strive to promote and conduct regular high-level engagements, and strengthen bilateral cooperation mechanisms.
"In line with this commitment, we look forward to exchange of high level visits this year, as well as the convening of the Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JCM) and the Joint Trade Committee (JTC).
"We will continue our cooperative efforts at multilateral fora in response to global challenges. We greatly value the flourishing people-to-people engagements between Malaysia and Vietnam and are firmly convinced of the mutual benefits that these engagements bring,” said the statement.
Malaysia forged diplomatic ties with the modern-day Vietnamese state on March 30, 1973. - Bernama
