Vietnam-Malaysia relations marked a new milestone when the two countries upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during talks between Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

The meeting was held as part of an official visit by the Vietnamese Party chief and his spouse to Malaysia from Thursday to Saturday at the invitation of PM Ibrahim and his wife.

Following their talks, Lam and Ibrahim issued a joint statement and co-chaired a press meeting to proclaim the elevation of ties and other agreements.

After discussing the development of Vietnam-Malaysia relations over the past several decades, especially since the launch of their strategic partnership nine years ago, the two leaders decided to upgrade the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, the joint statement said.

Under the new partnership, both countries will continue supporting each other’s development and enhancing friendly cooperation and political trust based on the respect for international law, independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political institutions, all in line with each country’s actual conditions as well as the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs, Lam told the media.

Lam and Ibrahim agreed to promote connectivity between the two economies, strive to push their trade to US$18 billion or higher in a balanced direction, and intensify cooperation in many other spheres, including security, defense, navigation, electricity, and digital economy.

They agreed to foster cooperation in new areas such as green economy, innovation, science and technology, digital transformation, and green energy, while expanding ties in other important aspects, including human resources, labor, culture, sports, tourism, and people-to-people connection.

The two leaders also pledged to encourage enterprises from each country to elevate their investments in the other while cooperating to boost the halal industry.

They promised to join in ensuring common interests from oil and gas cooperation and consider establishing a regional cooperation development mechanism in overlapping sea areas, if any.

PM Ibrahim addressed the effective operations of many Malaysian businesses in Vietnam and expressed hope that Vietnam would continue to provide favorable conditions for their activities.

He also requested Vietnam's support as Malaysia prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025.

Both countries agreed to support each other and closely coordinate in regional and international issues for common peace, security, and stability, especially at multilateral forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

The two leaders promised to boost ASEAN’s development to realize the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and beyond, and strengthen sub-regional cooperation and connectivity, including the Mekong sub-region.

Party General Secretary Lam reiterated Vietnam’s policy of supporting efforts to maintain peace, security, stability, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Vietnam Sea, peacefully resolve disputes without use or threat of force, in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

He urged all parties to exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could heighten tensions or jeopardize peace and stability in the East Vietnam Sea.

He pushed for all sides fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea and expediting the adoption of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS 1982.

The Party chief affirmed Vietnam’s consistent support for Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair 2025.

Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing and exchange of two memoranda of understanding, the first for trade promotion cooperation between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation.

The second is related to cooperation in renewable energy between Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas).

Vietnam and Malaysia established diplomatic relations in March 1973, and entered a strategic partnership in August 2015.

Malaysia is currently in Vietnam's top 10 largest trade partners.

In January-October, their trade reached $11.81 billion, equivalent to about 93 percent of the last year's turnover, according to official figures.

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