Kuala Lumpur, November 21, 2024 — The Europe Today: Vietnam and Malaysia officially elevated their bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during Vietnamese Party General Secretary Tô Lâm’s official visit to Malaysia on Thursday. The milestone was commemorated at a joint press conference with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, where both leaders underscored their commitment to deepening collaboration in areas such as security, defense, digital economy, and maritime cooperation.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the significance of General Secretary Tô Lâm’s visit in strengthening bilateral ties. He praised the successful investments of Malaysian enterprises in Vietnam and expressed hopes for continued facilitation of Malaysian business ventures in the country. He also extended gratitude for Vietnam’s support as Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
General Secretary Tô Lâm highlighted the pillars of the CSP, including bolstered political trust, defense cooperation, and economic connectivity, aiming to achieve a bilateral trade turnover of USD 18 billion. Both sides committed to enhancing collaboration in oil and gas, fisheries, and emerging fields such as green energy, digital transformation, and innovation.
The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the East Sea (South China Sea) by advocating for the peaceful resolution of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They urged restraint, emphasized the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC), and called for an effective Code of Conduct (COC) at the earliest.
General Secretary Tô Lâm expressed Việt Nam’s support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 and emphasized the need for ASEAN solidarity in achieving sustainable development and regional prosperity.
The visit also witnessed the signing of two key Memoranda of Understanding: one to enhance trade promotion between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation, and another on renewable energy cooperation between PetroVietnam and Petronas.
The upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is expected to open a new chapter in Vietnam-Malaysia relations, strengthening their collaboration for mutual prosperity, regional stability, and ASEAN unity.
