Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Vietnam treasures and wants to effectively deploy its comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia, serving the interests of the people of both countries, and contributing to the building of a united and cohesive ASEAN, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man told President of the Malaysian Senate Dato Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah.
At his talks with Ali Basah in Kuala Lumpur on September 19 as part of his official visit to Malaysia, the top Vietnamese legislator reaffirmed his support for the “Sustainability and Inclusivity” theme of ASEAN 2025, and pledged close coordination with Malaysia— ASEAN Chair 2025 and AIPA-46 President - and other member states to implement the set priorities.
Welcoming Chairman Man’s trip to Malaysia, Ali Basah said the visit marks an important milestone in the bilateral relations, effectively implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership and demonstrating Vietnam’s commitment, together with the parliaments of ASEAN countries, to building a “sustainable and inclusive” united, resilient ASEAN Community, which will continue to play a central role in the regional architecture.
Chairman Man briefed the host on Vietnam’s outcomes in constitutional amendments, law-making, administrative streamlining, mergence of provincial-level administrative units, and the operation of two-tier local administration model.
The two sides praised the robust ties built over the past 50 years, highlighted by the upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership in November 2024. They agreed to boost political trust; expand exchanges and economic, trade, and investment cooperation; address legal bottlenecks to facilitate Malaysian businesses’ greater investment in Vietnam; develop the Halal industry; coordinate to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and enhance people-to-people links.
The top legislators pledged to deepen legislative cooperation through more exchanges at all levels, stronger links among specialised committees of the two countries’ legislatures, friendship groups, and female and young parliamentarians, and joint efforts to improve the legal framework for the new stage of the bilateral ties.
They also agreed to coordinate in monitoring bilateral agreements, especially the development of an Action Programme to implement the Vietnam - Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership, including inter-parliamentary cooperation.
The NA Chairman urged Malaysia to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living and working in the country, and to treat Vietnamese fishing vessels and fishermen with a humanitarian approach.
Ali Basah thanked the Vietnamese NA for its support to the Malaysian Parliament during its AIPA-46 Chairmanship and Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair 2025.
The two sides agreed to work with ASEAN countries to build a united, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN, uphold the bloc’s central role, particularly on the East Sea issue, and contribute to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.
Chairman Man took this occasion to invite the President of the Malaysian Senate to visit Vietnam, and Ali Basah gladly accepted the invitation.
The same day, Ali Basah hosted a banquet in honour of NA Chairman, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation./.
