Vietnam and Malaysia have agreed to strengthen the comprehensive partnership in all areas towards the establishment of strategic partnership.

>> Malaysian PM visits Vietnam to encourage cooperation

The agreement was reach during the talks between PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Razak in Hanoi on Friday during PM Najib Razak’s official visit to Vietnam from April 3-5. PM Dung said that Malaysia is now one of Vietnam’s top trade partners, with the two-way trade value amounting to US$9 billion in 2013, up 67 percent from 2010. In the field of investment, with 451 projects valued at more than US$10 billion, Malaysia ranks 8th among the biggest investors in Vietnam, he said. In addition, Malaysia is one of Vietnam’s leading labor export markets, with more than 80,000 Vietnamese guest workers are working in the neighboring country, the Vietnamese leader said. PM Dung also extended his condolences to PM Najib Razak, the Malaysian Government, people and families of the victims on the flight MH370. In reply, PM Najib expressed his sincere thanks to Vietnam for assistance in the search for the lost flight. Both host and guest expressed their pleasure at the fruitful cooperation between the two countries during the past 40 year, and agreed to take measures to increase the two-way trade to US$11 billion by 2015. They also agreed to step up cooperation in justice, labor, agriculture, education and petroleum, and sign a Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade in the near future.  Highly appreciating the bilateral defense and security ties, the two PMs agreed to finalize documents on joint patrol, trans-national crime prevention and fight, and establishment of a hotline between the two naval forces. The host and guest also discussed on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and affirmed that they will continue boosting coordination at regional and international forums. They pledged to work closely with other ASEAN member countries to build a strong and united ASEAN Community by 2015. Regarding the East Sea issue, the two PMs voiced support for settlement of disputes through peaceful means based on the ASEAN six-point principles on the East Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and relevant international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two leaders also agreed to support each other for early conclusion of the negotiation on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). After the talks, both sides issued a Joint Statement reaffirming the commitment to intensify the comprehensive partnership in all areas toward the establishment of a strategic partnership.