PUTRAJAYA, May 6 — Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir described his three-day working visit to Australia, which began on Thursday, as successful in enhancing the already close bilateral relations between Malaysia and Australia.
In a statement today, he said the visit in conjunction with the 5th Malaysia-Australia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM) also successfully resolved joint issues under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) framework.
He said it succeeded in opening the space and opportunities for trade through new cooperation by way of modernisation of the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA), and strengthened the mutual commitment towards preserving the stability and peace of the Indo-Pacific region without any threat from any parties.
“This meeting has discussed important core matters including economy, science and technology, education, defence, and regional security.
“The discussion went on in a good and friendly atmosphere, taking into account the mutual interests of both parties,” read the statement.
Zambry said the meeting also agreed to take follow-up action at the working level in relevant ministries and agencies.
AFMM is a bilateral mechanism under the Joint Declaration for Strategic Partnership between Malaysia and Australia established in 2015.
A total of four meetings were previously held – in March 2017 (Putrajaya), November 2019 (Sydney), December 2020 (Kuala Lumpur) and November 2021 (Kuala Lumpur).
While in Adelaide, Zambry said he also paid a courtesy call on South Australia’s 47th Premier Peter Malinauskas MP.
“During the meeting, we exchanged views on various bilateral issues of mutual interest as well as efforts to strengthen people-to-people relations between Malaysia and South Australia,” he said.
According to Zambry, the meeting is very meaningful on account of 2023 being the 50th anniversary of the ‘Sister City’ between Georgetown, Penang, and Adelaide, South Australia.
