Vietnam is an important partner of Malaysia , stated King Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah at a reception for newly-accredited Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Pham Cao Phong in Kuala Lumpur on November 25.

The Malaysian King said he is delighted at the developing bilateral ties over the past years, saying that both sides should step up measures to boost economic partnership by creating conditions for their businesses to access each other’s market.

Malaysia and Vietnam should also expand their collaboration in culture, tourism, people-to-people contacts, especially among youths and students, he said, affirming that his country will continue assisting Vietnam in personnel training through technical cooperation programmes.

For his part, Ambassador Phong, who presented his credentials to the King, congratulated Malaysia on its achievements gained so far, particularly its success in the run for the post of non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2015-16 tenure.

He committed to doing his utmost to deepen the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, contributing to the maintenance of peace, security and development in the region.

On the occasion, the ambassador told the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent on the prospect of the Vietnam-Malaysia relations, noting that during the Vietnam visit by Malaysian PM Najib Razak last April, the two countries agreed to elevate their ties to a strategic partnership.

Currently, both sides are completing procedures to officially announce their bilateral strategic partnership in an early date, he said.

The two countries’ leaders also set a target of raising two-way trade to 11 billion USD in the coming time while creating favourable conditions for enterprises to increase their trade and investment connections.

Vietnam and Malaysia are also discussing a number of agreements and deals which will lay firm foundations for the development of the bilateral relations in all fields, he revealed.-VNA