Malaysia, Japan foster bilateral relations

Foreign Minister of Malaysia Saifuddin Abdullah (R) and hís Japanese counterpart Taro Kono (Photo: EPA)

Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Foreign Affairs Minister of Japan Taro Kono paid a visit to Malaysia on July 10-11 at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah to discuss measures to strengthen bilateral relations.

At the meeting, the ministers were pleased with the current state of bilateral relations and agreed to continue strengthening and fostering greater cooperation in many areas.

The two sides discussed matters related to the rejuvenation and further enhancement of Malaysia’ Look East Policy which would benefit both countries, especially in the areas of education and human resources development.

They also discussed matters related to optimising the utilisation of railway lines where Japan and Malaysia have agreed to look into ways to increase the efficiency of Malaysia's existing railway lines; consideration of soft credit assistance as well as maritime cooperation, where Japan has assisted through the contribution of two patrol vessels and assistance in human capacity development.

The ministers also discussed matters related to the regional developments.

On the situation in the Korean Peninsula, they welcomed the development of efforts for the denuclearisation, and concurred that both sides should remain committed to implementing all sanctions as stipulated in the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

On the developments in the East Sea, Saifuddin and Kono agreed on the importance of the sea lines of communication and maintaining peace in the East Sea. They also agreed for ASEAN to play a leading and active role in managing the situation and conflicts in the East Sea.

The ministers also exchanged ideas on how to promote regional peace and security in the region.

Japan had mentioned that its chief negotiator for the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership would be coming to Malaysia to explain the current arrangement of the agreement to the Malaysian government.

The Japanese Foreign Minister said he looked forward to working with his Malaysian counterpart in both bilateral and multilateral platforms, including the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Singapore next month and the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September.

At the meeting, Saifuddin expressed his deepest condolences to Kono over the flash floods and landslides due to heavy rains in western Japan. The incident had caused the deaths of more than 170 people.

This was the first Malaysia visit by Kono since he took office in August 2017. He was also the first foreign minister to call on Saifuddin since his appointment as the foreign minister last week.-VNA