VietNamNet Bridge - President Nguyen Minh Triet welcomed King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah in Hanoi on March 12, saying his visit marked a milestone in the relations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
During their talks, Mr Triet reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of increasing cooperation with all countries in the world, especially those in Southeast Asia.
Vietnam considers Malaysia a friend and an important trade partner, said Mr Triet.
For his part, the King affirmed that Malaysia gives priority to expanding relations with Vietnam and hoped that the two sides would draw up specific cooperation programmes to deepen bilateral ties.
Both host and guest expressed their pleasure at the rapid development of bilateral ties in various areas, including politics, economics, culture, education, science and technology. They agreed that both Vietnam and Malaysia still have great potential for expanding cooperation in other areas.
Mr Triet proposed that the two countries increase the exchange of visits at all levels to develop cooperation programmes, step up the implementation process of the joint statement on the framework of comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia in the 21st century and actively prepare for the 5th session of the Inter-governmental Committee.
Vietnam is creating a favourable investment environment to attract more foreign businesses, including those from Malaysia, said Mr Triet.
He pointed to the fact that Malaysia now ranks second among foreign investors in the country with 302 investment projects capitalised at nearly US$18 billion. It is also Vietnam’s 9th largest trade partner with two-way trade last year reaching US$4.5 billion.
Mr Triet proposed that the two countries soon sign an agreement to mutually recognise goods quarantine to facilitate import-export activities. He also said that both countries should expand cooperation in health care, education, science, technology and labour export, as well as national defence and the fight against crime.
The president asked Malaysia to support Vietnamese guest workers in the context of the global financial meltdown.
The King confirmed that Malaysia is willing to receive Vietnamese guest workers and trainees, saying that approximately 110,000 Vietnamese nationals are working in Malaysia will help cement the friendship between the two nations.
In the evening, President Triet gave a banquet in honour of the Malaysian King and Queen.
The same day, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh received the Malaysian King who briefed his host on the outcome of his talks with President Triet and praised Vietnam’s great achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) and international economic integration process.
He said with the agreements reached during his visit, relations of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam will continue to develop in the interests of the two nations and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the rest of the world.
For his part, Mr Manh affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Malaysia.
He thanked Malaysia for supporting Vietnam’s admission to the World Trade Organisation in 2007 and its election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in the 2008-2009 period.
He expressed his hope that both countries will take specific measures to effectively implement their joint statement on the framework of comprehensive cooperation in the 21st century so as to bring bilateral ties to new heights.
The King arrived in Hanoi on March 12 for a four-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet.
VietNamNet/VOV
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