Malaysia Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak started his three-day visit to Vietnam on Thursday, focusing on promoting the friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries, the Malaysian Foreign Minister has said.

In talking with the official Vietnam News Agency reporters on Wednesday, Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Aman stated, “I am of the view that the relations between the two countries would be further boosted at the highest levels in efforts to encourage more cooperation, visits of officials, as well as people-to-people contacts.”

Regarding the progress of the relationship between Malaysia and Vietnam during the past years, he said Malaysia is very pleased with the recent high-level visits between the two countries, including the State visit made by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang to Malaysia in 2011 and the State visit of Malaysian King to Vietnam last year within a relatively short span of time.

The top Malaysian diplomat also mentioned the official visit by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education of Malaysia, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in October 2013, which took place during the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Vietnam. 

Minister Dato’ Sri Anifah Amanm also pointed out that there are many fields on which the two countries can focus their cooperation.

He added that the two sides are finalizing an MOU on agriculture cooperation and that the MOU will be signed during the ongoing visit of the Malaysian PM to Vietnam.

The FM also said Malaysia appreciates and is grateful for Vietnam’s assistance and support in locating the missing MH370 aircraft from the very start of the incident.