HCMC – Vietnam and Malaysia have elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, ushering in a new chapter in their relationship.
At a press conference on November 21 following bilateral talks between Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian leader emphasized the significance of the Vietnamese leader’s official visit, as the two nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in various areas, including security, defense, maritime collaboration, energy, and digital economy.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged that many Malaysian businesses are successfully operating in Vietnam. He expressed hope that Vietnam would continue to support Malaysian investments and back Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.
At the press conference, Party General Secretary To Lam hightlighted the commitment of both countries to support each other’s development and to further strengthen their friendly cooperation and political trust.
This partnership will be based on respect for international law, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political systems, in line with each country’s economic, social, and legal conditions, as well as the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs.
He said that the core elements of the comprehensive strategic partnership include strengthening political trust and cooperation in defense, security, and building a solid foundation for relations.
The two nations will promote connectivity between the two economies and strive to bring bilateral trade to US$18 billion and beyond in a balanced and mutually beneficial direction.
The two sides will also strengthen cooperation in new areas, such as innovation, science and technology, digital transformation, education and training, human resource development, labor, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people connections to achieve the goal of sustainable development.
Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to regional and international cooperation for peace, security, and stability, particularly at multilateral forums.
On this occasion, Party General Secretary To Lam and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the exchange of two cooperation documents: a memorandum of understanding on enhancing trade promotion cooperation between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation, and a memorandum of understanding on renewable energy cooperation between Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Malaysia’s Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).
Malaysia is the first ASEAN country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam. As of November 2024, Vietnam has formed comprehensive strategic partnerships with nine countries, including China, Russia, India, South Korea, the United States, Japan, Australia, France, and now Malaysia.
