KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that the close relationship between Malaysia and Vietnam will be a catalyst for strengthening the Asean region.
In a Facebook post, the Prime Minister said his meeting with the Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly, Tran Thanh Man, today confirmed the two countries’ commitment to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, energy, and the halal sector.
Anwar added that they both agreed on the importance of relations between the parliaments of both countries. Malaysia recognises Vietnam’s role through the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) since 1995 as a key moment for parliamentary integration in the region.
“Through the exchange of best practices in legislation, governance, and reform, we have succeeded in strengthening democratic foundations and expanding the horizons of cooperation,” he said.
The leaders also supported the entry of Timor-Leste into the ASEAN family, which the Prime Minister said symbolises the unity and solidarity of the region.
The prime minister added that Malaysia views Azerbaijan as a strategic partner with great potential, particularly in the fields of energy, tourism, the halal industry, and cooperation in the construction and mineral sectors.
“This is a platform we will strengthen for the benefit of the people of both countries. I commend Azerbaijan’s role in advancing the regional peace agenda, including through the recent Washington Framework for Peace,” he said.
The Prime Minister stated that Azerbaijan’s leadership on the international stage, especially within the Parliamentary Network of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), shows that diplomacy is not just a way to resolve conflicts but a medium to uphold justice and humanity.
“Therefore, the government will continue to bridge the East and West through a statecraft approach and diplomatic art. In a world that continues to be fragmented today, Malaysia chooses to be a voice and a mid-tier power on the geopolitical stage toward a more peaceful and balanced world,” he added.
– BERNAMA
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
