Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia

BILATERAL DIPLOMACY

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam (CLMV)

As important ASEAN member countries, Malaysia will continue to enhance and strengthen its bilateral ties with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. At present, Malaysia’s relation with CLMV countries have been characterized by mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of trade and investment, education, youth and sports, tourism as well as science & technology.

 

Trade and investment relations between Malaysia and CLMV countries continue to show significant improvement over the years. Although the market share of the CLMV countries represents only a small percentage of Malaysia’s trade with ASEAN, the trade between Malaysia and CLMV countries is expected to expand as a result of the reduction and elimination of tariffs under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).

 

Malaysia is also committed to continue providing assistance to CLMV countries under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). Since the establishment of the programme, participants from CLMV countries had participated in various short-term courses such as public administration, broadcasting, cooperative management, library management, veterinary, foreign and diplomatic relations.

 

The increase of exchange of high-level visits, coupled with Malaysia’s interest to engage in developing the economy, human capital and institutional capacities of the CLMV countries, have directly and indirectly opened an extensive access for more cooperation and interactions, as well as putting people-to-people interaction between Malaysia and CLMV countries at a higher level.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin walking alongside the President of Laos, Choummaly Sayasone (left) after a welcoming ceremony at Parliament  during the President's visit to Malaysia, 24-26 November 2011

 

Oceania

             

Malaysia’s relations with Australia and New Zealand remain close and steadfast.

 

The especially strong people-to-people relationship is an asset to further mutually beneficial activities between Malaysia and Australia. The large number of Malaysian students and Malaysians in the country and the business activities undertaken by Malaysians provide the impetus for Malaysia to pursue a more dynamic relationship with Australia, especially after the Prime Minister’s very successful official visit in March 2011. The Malaysia-Australia FTA expected to be inked in 2012 will elevate Malaysia-Australia trade and investment relations to a new level.

 

Since the implementation of the Malaysia-NZ FTA in 2010, there is scope for more concrete linkages with the continued exchange of high level visits and consultatations between the countries for further cooperation in education and human resource development, development of green technology, agriculture and animal husbandry and trade and investment.

 

Malaysia will continue to reinforce its bilateral relations with Australia and New Zealand through the consultative framework of various regional and international organizations such as ASEAN, APEC, EAS, the Commonwealth and the United Nations.

 

Generally for all the Pacific Island States, including Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Fiji, trade and investment and tourism provide scope for Malaysia to undertake mutually beneficial activities with the countries. While Malaysia continues to be the one of the biggest Asian investor in PNG, there is potential for more economic activity. Malaysia looks forward to more high-level and officials-level visits to pave the way for more meaningful engagements with the country. The bilateral relations with Fiji can be strengthened through the MTCP, business linkages and the long established military cooperation.

 

YAB Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and  The Honourable Julia Gillard, Prime Minister of Australia during his official visit to Australia, 2–4 March 2011