KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 15 – Vietnam and Malaysia are intensifying their collaboration in defence and security in fostering regional peace and stability – a commitment which emphasises the significance of the 50th anniversary celebrations observed in 2023.
Vietnam’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Dinh Ngoc Linh, told Bernama International News Service that the commitment is timely and underscores an important manifestation of the close cooperation between the two nations in today’s complex geopolitical dynamics.
Linh also expressed confidence in the potential of further strengthening ties, especially after a recent diplomatic engagement in which both countries renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation that expired in 2018.
“Amidst complicated developments in the region and the world, our two countries strengthening cooperation in the field of defence and security is an inevitable trend for peace, stability and development in the region.
“The security relationship between the two countries has been continuously strengthened in recent years.
“Therefore, I believe there is ample room for Vietnam and Malaysia to bolster cooperation, as well as to implement existing agreements and explore future avenues for collaboration diligently,” he said, noting the MoU has established a robust legal framework, laying the groundwork for sustained collaboration in the defence and security sector in the coming years.
Linh further pointed out that the envisioned areas of cooperation could be extended beyond conventional defence practices which include delegation exchange, the establishment of consultation, dialogue mechanisms, training, defence industry, logistics, and military medicine.
“Besides, we also need to establish a cooperation mechanism between the two countries’ navies, air forces, and coast guards, coordinate to prevent terrorism and other types of transnational crimes, and strengthen coordination to fight against terrorist and reactionary organisations,” he added.
In addition to bilateral efforts, Linh noted both countries are poised to strengthen their defence and security cooperation within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The commitment extends to promoting ASEAN-led mechanisms that play a central role in facilitating dialogues and cooperation among ASEAN member states and external partners, he said.
Elaborating further, Linh highlighted the partnership between the two nations not only endures but thrives in the realms of politics, economics, and maritime security.
In the political arenas specifically, both nations are committed to the effective implementation of the Plan of Action (POA) designed to execute the Strategic Partnership for the 2021 – 2025 period.
“This commitment to POA will contribute to bringing Vietnam-Malaysia relations to new heights.
“Both countries need to maintain regular and effective use of the existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Committee for Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation (JCM) to review the implementation of the POA and discuss ways and means to strengthen the bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interests,” he said.
Linh further noted that in the first half of 2024, one of the embassy’s priorities is to promote and organise high-level visits of Party and State leaders to Malaysia.
“The exchange of high-level delegations will be a driving force for strengthening strategic trust and deepening comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, towards the 10th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership in 2025,” he said.
In the economic spheres, meanwhile, the envoy said that both nations are eyeing the halal industry as a promising avenue for cooperation.
Hanoi is Malaysia’s 12th largest trading partner globally, and it is also the country’s fourth largest trading partner in ASEAN after Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
In 2022, total bilateral trade increased by 16.4 per cent to US$19.44 billion (RM90.83 billion) from US$16.7 billion (RM78.03 billion) in 2021.
In terms of investments, Malaysia is Vietnam’s 10th largest investor after Singapore and Thailand.
Regarding maritime security, he said both nations must enhance collaboration to uphold peace, security, safety, and navigation freedom in the East Sea.
“It is crucial to fully comply with the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties and promptly finalise negotiations for the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (CoC), aligning with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” he said, referring to the woes relating to South China Sea.
The people-to-people ties between Malaysia and Vietnam are poised to flourish further through continued cooperation in news exchanges, and Linh is hopeful that established connections between the news agencies – Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) and Vietnam News Agency (VNA) – could be enhanced correlatively.
He expressed optimism about fostering greater understanding and awareness among the people of both nations with the aim of providing timely and accurate information on the latest developments concurrently in both countries.
“Vietnamese not only need just general information about the country and people, but also on the economy, especially about the halal sector.
“I foresee the need to feed accurate and variety of information as there is a growing interest in the Halal industry in Vietnam, and the need for disseminating this information widely for a more extensive outreach within the country,” he said.
Malaysia forged diplomatic ties with the modern-day Vietnamese state on March 30, 1973.
