Vietnam, Malaysia agree to ramp up cooperation in addressing maritime issues

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomes his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim (Photo:VGP)

On February 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a productive and cordial working breakfast with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim during the latter’s visit to Vietnam and participation in the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum held in Hanoi from February 25-26, 2025.

Welcoming the Malaysian leader’s return to Vietnam, PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted the significance of this visit, especially as the two countries had recently elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and Malaysia was assuming the ASEAN Chairmanship.

He congratulated Malaysia on its tremendous achievements, which have positioned the country among the world's 27 most competitive economies, and expressed confidence that Malaysia would successfully realize its comprehensive development goals under the MADANI economic policy spearheaded by PM Anwar Ibrahim.

For his part, PM Anwar Ibrahim expressed admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s struggle for independence and reunification. He also hailed Vietnam’s socio-economic progress in recent years, reaffirming that Vietnam is one of Malaysia’s key partners in the region and pledging to deepen substantive cooperation in line with the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive developments in bilateral relations, particularly following PM Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to Vietnam in July 2023 and Party General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Malaysia in November 2024.

Political trust and cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia have been reinforced through frequent high-level exchanges and dialogues. Bilateral cooperation mechanisms spanning diplomacy, defense, security, economy, and culture have been effectively leveraged.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim affirms Vietnam as his nation's leading partner in the region (Photo: VGP)

Notably, trade and investment ties have also expanded comprehensively. Within ASEAN, Malaysia is currently Vietnam’s second-largest trading partner and third-largest investor. Bilateral cooperation has seen notable progress in key areas such as defence, security, energy, labor, agriculture, and food security, alongside emerging fields like the digital and green economies.

Future cooperation priorities

Looking ahead, both sides consented to intensify high-level exchanges and delegation visits across various channels, organize the 8th meeting of the Vietnam-Malaysia Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation in 2025, and finalize the Action Program for implementing their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2025-2028.

They also pledged to accelerate the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Halal cooperation and expanding collaboration in digital and green economies, just energy transition, science and technology, innovation, smart agriculture, e-government, and cybersecurity.

The two PMs emphasized the crucial role of maritime and ocean cooperation, pledging to strengthen joint efforts in dealing with maritime issues and setting up a hotline to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. They also agreed to boost cooperation in education, labor, agriculture, culture, and sports, while increasing flight frequencies between the two countries.

On regional and international affairs, both sides acknowledged their close coordination and mutual support in international organizations and multilateral forums. They reaffirmed their commitment to working together and with other ASEAN member states to build a united, cohesive, and resilient ASEAN, ensuring the bloc remains central in addressing regional strategic issues.

PM Chinh reiterated Vietnam’s support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, in line with the theme “Sustainable and Inclusive ASEAN.” He expressed confidence that Malaysia would guide ASEAN toward greater unity, strength, and achievements.

Both leaders also concurred to closely coordinate in ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and to push for substantive and effective negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC), in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Their shared goal is to maintain the East Sea as a region of peace, stability, cooperation, and development.