Vietnamese Party chief’s visit is of great significance to relations with Malaysia

Deputy Ambassador of Malaysia to Vietnam Cik Aida Safura Niza Othman made the statement in a recent media interview ahead of General Secretary Lam’s official visit to Malaysia from November 21 to November 23.

Looking back at 2023, the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, marked by the successful official visit of Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim to Hanoi in July.

This year, Party General Secretary Lam's visit to Malaysia at the invitation of PM Ibrahim continues to reflect the commitment of both sides to propelling the relationship forward, Deputy Ambassador Othman said.

“Vietnam is an important partner of Malaysia and we expect that the visit will create momentum for a broad array of areas such as economics, trade, investment, renewable energy and green technology; information and communication technology; digital economy; tourism, cultural and educational exchanges as well as strengthening regional cooperation, especially within the framework of ASEAN,” the Malaysian diplomat noted.

Taking about the current level of co-operation between the two countries and the prospects for future development, Deputy Ambassador Othman stated that since the upgrading of relations to a strategic partnership in 2015, the diplomatic relationship has grown stronger and stronger in a very positive direction, one which both sides are aiming for.

Vietnam is therefore an important trading partner of the Malaysian side, whilst the are one of the leading investors in the nation. The two sides boast great potential to further boost trade co-operation, especially in emerging areas such as the digital economy, e-commerce, and sustainable energy.

Both countries are fully committed to diversifying trade and shifting from traditional goods to higher value sectors such as technology and renewable energy. This will therefore be the key to future economic growth for both countries.

Regarding ​​people-to-people exchanges, the two nations have increasingly strengthened their links between social organisations and people. Educational and cultural exchanges, as well as tourism, has continued to grow as a contribution to deepening understanding and appreciation of each other’s traditional values.

The two sides will also continue working closely towards an increasingly cohesive and resilient ASEAN region. Looking ahead, the prospects for joint ties are excellent and both sides are fully committed to further building on this momentum, she went on to say.

Sharing the Malaysian side’s priorities for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2025 and assessing Vietnamese contributions to the organization, Deputy Ambassador Othman said 2025 represents a very important year for ASEAN as the regional bloc will celebrate the 10th anniversary since the official establishment of the ASEAN Community. Based on this milestone and the achievements already made, ASEAN is expected to adopt the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and outline the strategic direction of the region for the next 20 years.

As ASEAN Chair in 2025, Malaysia will prioritize a number of key areas that are in line with the ever-changing needs and aspirations of the wider region.

These include strengthening ASEAN centrality, increasing intra-regional trade and investment; enhancing the bloc’s capacity to leverage advances in science, technology, and innovation; and effectively exploiting the potential and advantages for digital transformation and new technologies.

Malaysia will also ensure that the “Inclusiveness and Sustainability” elements, which are the theme of the ASEAN Chairmanship Year 2025, remain central to the community-building efforts.

Next year is also an important time for the nation in relation to ASEAN, as it marks 30 years since Vietnam first became a member of the bloc.

Regarding Malaysian expectations of Vietnamese contributions, she affirmed that the country’s strategic position and active role in ASEAN are essential as both sides work together to address common challenges such as climate change, digital transformation, and regional security.

Deputy Ambassador Othman said she hopes that both sides, as close partners, can continue to co-operate more closely in enhancing ASEAN’s global position and influence, as well as ensuring security, prosperity, and cohesion for the entire region.