Vientiane, October 11, 2024 – The Europe Today: Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met with his Malaysian counterpart, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, on October 10 during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane, Laos. The leaders discussed various areas of cooperation, expressing their commitment to further deepening the strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Malaysia.
Prime Minister Chính thanked Malaysia for its recent humanitarian support to Việt Nam in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, facilitated through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance (AHA Centre). He highlighted the importance of regional solidarity and resilience in tackling common challenges.
Both leaders praised the progress made by their countries’ ministries in implementing previously agreed-upon initiatives, and pledged to continue strengthening cooperation in key sectors, including security, education, aviation, and tourism. Emerging areas like the green economy and digital economy were also discussed as part of efforts to elevate bilateral relations.
Defence and Maritime Cooperation
Prime Minister Chính lauded the efforts of the defence ministries of both countries in actively implementing their memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation, signed in December 2022. He also called for the swift conclusion of agreements in other mutually beneficial fields, including security, education, and aviation.
Chính proposed establishing a consultation and management mechanism for maritime affairs and urged both countries to ensure humanitarian treatment of detained fishing vessels and fishermen, in line with international law and the strong bilateral relationship.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim affirmed Malaysia’s readiness to enhance cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in areas such as security, defence, trade, investment, and the maritime economy. He also expressed support for Vietnam’s efforts to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning over illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing lifted.
ASEAN Regional Cooperation
The two leaders also discussed regional issues, with Prime Minister Chính commending Malaysia’s role in promoting the development of an ASEAN Community centered on sustainable growth. He affirmed Việt Nam’s support for Malaysia as it prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, and its role in advancing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Chính called on Malaysia, in its upcoming chairmanship, to closely coordinate with Vietnam and other ASEAN member states in maintaining the bloc’s unified stance on regional and international issues, particularly the East Sea (South China Sea) issue.
The meeting concluded with both leaders expressing a shared vision for elevating Vietnam-Malaysia relations to new heights, through sustained high-level exchanges and collaborative efforts in key sectors.
