MALAYSIAN KING CALLS FOR CLOSER M'SIA-VIETNAM TIES

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (Bernama) -- Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on Wednesday expressed hope that Malaysia and Vietnam will continue to strengthen the existing relationship and cooperation so that the peace and stability in the Asean region can be preserved.

Despite various challenges, Tuanku Mizan said he was confident that
cooperation between the two countries could be further developed, especially after the establishment of Malaysia-Vietnam diplomatic ties 38 years ago.

"To see that the bilateral ties between the two countries moving towards a greater height is something that we can be proud of. This can be seen by the amount of Malaysia's investment in Vietnam and the increase in trade between Malaysia and Vietnam.

"I'm confident that the government of Malaysia and Vietnam will continue to cooperate in the interest of the people of both countries, as well as in the interest of Asean," he said at the state banquet held in honour of visiting Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang and his wife, Mai Thi Hanh, at Istana Negara (National Palace) here Wednesday night.

Sang arrived here on Wednesday to begin a three-day visit to Malaysia to reciprocate the state visit to Vietnam by Tuanku Mizan and his consort Tuanku Nur Zahirah in March, 2009.

Also present at the banquet were Tuanku Nur Zahirah, Prime Minister Najib Razak and wife Rosmah Mansor.

Meanwhile, Sang, in his speech, said he was impressed by significant achievements and rapid advancement in Malaysia's social and economic development.

"We truly admire the achievements that Malaysians have recorded in the course of building and developing the country into a beautiful and modern state with unique cultures and a rich identity embodied by the 'Malaysia Truly Asia' slogan," he said.

Sang said Malaysia had always been one of the leading trade and investment partners of Vietnam, with increasing two-way trade turnover and investment projects.

"Our bilateral cooperation in defense, security, labour, education and tourism have also been increasingly promoted by both sides, producing more and more fruitful outcomes," he added.
-- BERNAMA