Vietnamese, Malaysian foreign ministers hold online talks

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein consented to intensify the bilateral exchange of views and with other ASEAN member states on regional and international issues, including those relating to the East Sea.

Hishammuddin told Minh that his nation desires to further deepen the strategic partnership with Vietnam in all areas. He used the occasion to congratulate on Vietnam’s successful containment of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as its success in its capacity as ASEAN Chair 2020 and non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

He glowingly spoke of Vietnam’s hosting of ASEAN meetings amid the complicated developments of the regional and global situation, saying Vietnam has helped maintain ASEAN’s unity and centrality and bolster cooperation between the regional bloc and its partners.

The Malaysian diplomat suggested the two countries prepare all conditions for resuming direct flights between Malaysia and Vietnam at the earliest.

He expressed his sympathy over losses caused by floods in Vietnam’s central provinces, assuring Malaysia’s readiness to provide assistance to Vietnam within its capacity.

In response, Minh thanked Malaysia for its support and coordination in arranging repatriation flights bringing Vietnamese citizens home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnam pledges to facilitate entry of investors, experts, managers and skilled workers from foreign countries, including Malaysia, helping enterprises to stabilise business and production, he said.

Minh also asked the Malaysian side to offer humane treatment to Vietnamese fishermen caught in Malaysia’s waters, in line with international law and based on the spirit of ASEAN solidarity. Such incidents should be settled in a constructive and cooperative manner to avoid affect the sound relations between the two nations, he said.

The two diplomats also agreed to soon finalise an Action Programme for the implementation of the Vietnam – Malaysia Strategic Partnership over the next five years and that the two countries will work hand in hand to organise the ASEAN Summit and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings slated for November.