Malaysian Ambassador Reveals New Initiative at 46th ASEAN Summit, Affirming Vietnam's Indispensable Role

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attend the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi in February 2025. (Source: VGP)

What are your expectations for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh 's visit this time, both at the bilateral level to promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Malaysia and at the multilateral level with ASEAN?

This is Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's first official visit to Malaysia as Prime Minister. The last time a Vietnamese Prime Minister paid an official visit to Malaysia was in 2015. At that time, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his counterpart, Prime Minister Dato' Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, issued a joint statement establishing a strategic partnership between the two countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Malaysia and attendance at the 46th ASEAN Summit is of special strategic and timely importance.

Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai gives an interview to TG&VN about his visit on the morning of May 21. (Photo: PH)

The visit comes at a time when regional cooperation is more urgent than ever, and at a time when Malaysia and Vietnam have upgraded their bilateral relations to the highest level - Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The visit also comes shortly after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's successful visit to Hanoi, where he attended and delivered a speech at the ASEAN Future Forum 2025.

During that trip, Prime Minister Anwar met with General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong and had a working session with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The two Prime Ministers also kept in touch regularly, most recently two phone calls in April to discuss issues related to bilateral relations.

In such a context, I expect that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Malaysia will bring about many positive results, contributing to strengthening political trust between the leaders of the two countries through high-level dialogue. This is also an opportunity for both sides to review the implementation of key initiatives within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, such as enhancing trade and investment, developing the Halal industry, cooperation in the oil and gas sector, as well as expanding cooperation to new areas such as green economy, clean energy, skills development, etc.

The visit is expected to further promote economic cooperation and people-to-people exchange between the two countries, bringing practical benefits to both sides.

In addition, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's attendance at this ASEAN Summit is a strong demonstration of Vietnam's commitment to building a united, pioneering ASEAN that plays a central role in maintaining regional peace.

Could you please tell us about the key areas being promoted to realize the content of cooperation within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries?

The concretization of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into substantive cooperation results requires clear implementation directions, policy harmonization and promotion of public-private cooperation.

Within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, we aim to strengthen political trust and enhance defense and security cooperation through regular high-level visits and new cooperation initiatives. This will contribute to creating a peaceful, stable and favorable environment for development.

Economically, we aim to reach US$18 billion in bilateral trade and investment by 2025, focusing on expanding market access for key products such as agricultural products, seafood, Halal products and electronics. At the same time, we also want to increase investment in areas such as automation, smart logistics, innovation and the digital economy.

At the same time, enhancing people-to-people exchanges through cultural, educational and tourism exchanges is also a priority.

Both countries pledged to cooperate closely in multilateral mechanisms, especially within ASEAN, to promote regional peace and prosperity, protect international law and ensure freedom of navigation.

To promote the above areas of cooperation, the two sides will strengthen institutional cooperation through regular meetings of the Joint Committee/Joint Trade Committee, promote private sector dialogue and business connectivity, and consider expanding scholarships, training programs and youth engagement.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim pose for a photo with delegates attending the ASEAN Future Forum High-level Plenary Session in February 2025. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

What is the Ambassador's assessment of the importance of the 46th ASEAN Summit on this occasion for the ASEAN agenda and expectations for Vietnam's contribution?

The 46th ASEAN Summit takes place at a pivotal time for the region. ASEAN is currently facing profound changes, from strategic competition, supply chain restructuring, climate change to technological breakthroughs.

In that context, Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair 2025 aims to reaffirm ASEAN's position and importance through three core objectives: Unity, Resilience and Centrality.

This conference will be the basis for creating consensus on the ASEAN Community Vision after 2025 - a new "version" to make ASEAN more connected, more dynamic and more proactive in the global context.

The ASEAN Chair 2025 commits to: Upholding ASEAN’s centrality and neutrality in an increasingly multipolar world; ensuring that ASEAN’s economic agenda is inclusive, sustainable and forward-looking; strengthening external relations while maintaining ASEAN’s centrality.

I affirm that Vietnam’s role in this process is indispensable. Vietnam has long been considered a pillar in ASEAN’s intra-bloc cohesion. Vietnam’s commitment to regional peace, non-alignment and inclusive development is fully consistent with Malaysia’s priorities for ASEAN 2025.

We look forward to working closely with Vietnam in the following areas:

Strengthening ASEAN solidarity and unity in diversity: Vietnam's diplomatic voice plays a key role in building consensus and maintaining the Association's neutral stance;

Enhancing economic resilience: With Vietnam's strong growth, Malaysia looks forward to collaborating in regional mechanisms that support sustainable trade, digital cooperation and energy connectivity;

Raising ASEAN’s voice in the international arena: Malaysia expects Vietnam to be a partner in shaping ASEAN’s role globally, as well as in constructive dialogue with major partners such as China, the United States, the European Union and others.

With its strategic importance and proactive approach, Vietnam is an indispensable partner in ensuring the success of Malaysia's ASEAN Chairmanship and maintaining the Association's centrality.

The atmosphere of preparation for the 46th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia. (Source: Malaymail)

Regarding cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, does this Conference have any unique highlights, Ambassador?

Besides the ASEAN Summit, two other important summits will also be held on this occasion, including: the second ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the first ASEAN-GCC-China Summit.

Southeast Asia, the Gulf and China are now home to more than two billion consumers and contribute more than 20% of global GDP. The holding of these conferences is very timely, as these regions are increasingly dynamic, consolidating their global positions and expanding their international influence.

On the sidelines of the above-mentioned summits, Malaysia will also host the ASEAN-GCC-China Economic Forum and the ASEAN-GCC Economic Forum in Kuala Lumpur on May 27-28.

Thank you very much Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-malaysia-bats-mi-sang-kien-moi-tai-hoi-nghi-cap-cao-asean-46-khang-dinh-vai-tro-khong-the-thieu-cua-viet-nam-315004.html