MSIAN, US THINK TANKS UNDERTAKE JOINT STUDY TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL TIES

KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's premier think tank, the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) and the US' Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) have started on a major joint study as part of initiatives to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

They expect to deliver ideas and recommendations from the study this October.

In a joint statement here Monday, ISIS and CSIS said several other
initiatives would be also undertaken including placing Malaysian Fellows at CSIS in Washington DC, to conduct targeted research and gain insight into Washington's policy making structures.

The first Malaysian Fellow at CSIS is expected to start his tour this month.

The statement said Prime Minister Najib Razak had welcomed the efforts by the think tanks to further strengthen bilateral relations by creating a multi-dimensional, research-based foundation for expanding cooperation in the areas of security and political affairs, trade and investment, science and technology, and educational and sociology-cultural ties.

It said that the prime minister had met with the chief executive of ISIS Dr Mahani Zainal Abidin and Datuk Ernest Bower, senior adviser and director of Southeast Asia Studies at CSIS, during his working visit to the US recently.

Among the other initiatives, an inaugural Congressional delegation visit is expected to visit Malaysia in August.

The joint study, entitled "From Strength to Empowerment: The Next Generation of US-Malaysia Relations" meanwhile will explore four primary areas namely political and security cooperation, trade and investment ties, science and technology, and education and socio-cultural ties.

The study will make specific recommendations for the near and long term.

Plans are also underway to establish an elite Malaysia and United States Advisory Board to guide the study and act as advisers to support the bilateral relations.
--BERNAMA