Hanoi ceremony marks Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic ties

A ceremony was held by the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association (VMFA) in Hanoi on the morning of March 30th, to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (March 30, 1973-2018).
March 30, 2018 | 18:50

(VNF) - A ceremony was held by the Vietnam-Malaysia Friendship Association (VMFA) in Hanoi on the morning of March 30th, to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (March 30th, 1973-2018).

Hanoi ceremony marks Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic ties

President of the Vietnam – Malaysia Friendship Association Do Huu Hao. (Photo: PM)

Addressing the event, VMFA President Do Huu Dao reviewed the Vietnam-Malaysia friendly ties and cooperation over the past 45 years, stressing that Vietnam and Malaysia share a lot of similarities in terms of culture and customs, with their people having soon fostered exchanges and mutual learning.

The friendly relations and cooperation between the two nations have recorded developments across all fields, including politics, economy, trade, security, national defence, culture, education, and labour, he said.

With regard to politics, Vietnam and Malaysia have maintained regular exchange of visits at all levels, he said, mentioning trips to Malaysia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Do Muoi (1994), President Tran Duc Luong (1998), Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (1998), Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (2007 and 2015). Meanwhile, Malaysian top leaders – King Tuanku Jaafar, King Mizan Zainal Abidin and PM Najib Razak – paid visits to Vietnam in 1995, 2009 and 2014, respectively. The two nations lifted their ties to Strategic Partnership in August, 2015, he added.

Substantial progress has been seen in trade and investment in the last four decades. Malaysia is now Vietnam’s 8th largest trade partner and ranks 7th out of 125 foreign investors in Vietnam. The two-way trade exceeded USD 10 billion in 2017 and is expected to hit USD 15 billion by 2020 while cooperation in the fields like tourism, education and science-technology are flourishing.

Hanoi ceremony marks Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic ties

Musical exchanges between the two countries at the ceremony. (Photo: PM)

Dao expressed his belief that based on the past achievements and the joint efforts exerted by the two Governments and peoples, the Vietnam-Malaysia strategic partnership would continue to grow and bring about practical outcomes, meeting the benefits of the two countries for peace, stability, cooperation, and prosperity in the region and around the world.

On the occasion, he introduced the operations of the VMFA in strengthening exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries’ people.

Hanoi ceremony marks Vietnam-Malaysia diplomatic ties

Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mohd Zamruni Bin Khalid, speaks at the celebration. (Photo: PM)

On his behalf, Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam, Mohd Zamruni Bin Khalid, thanked the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam – Malaysia Friendship Association for holding the ceremony.

He affirmed that over the past 45 years the Vietnam-Malaysia relations have witnessed multiple achievements, notably the signing of an agreement on the establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership and the acceleration of cooperation across all spheres.

The celebration offers an occasion for Vietnam and Malaysia to discuss and work out directions, aiming to consolidate and expand the relations between the two countries in the future, he stated./.

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