Yingluck's Visit Can Enhance Malaysia-Thailand Ties - PM Najib

PUTRAJAYA, Feb 21 (Bernama) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's maiden visit to Malaysia would further enhance the existing relationship between the two neighbours, Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Monday. He said the brief visit of Yingluck on Monday had underlined the close relations between both governments and the strong bond between its people. "Thailand and Malaysia have always been more than just good neighbours and our meeting today is an important step in the process of bringing us even closer. "If both our countries are to continue to prosper in the years ahead, it is vital that we not just maintain our existing ties but also explore possibilities for co-operation in other areas, expanding the scope of relationship further. "I look forward to working closely with you on the regional and international stage, uniting our nations as part of the Asean community," he said at the dinner hosted in honour of Yingluck's visit at the Seri Perdana, the prime minister's official residence, here on Monday night. Najib said the bilateral trade and investment between Malaysia and Thailand was steadily increasing. "This is encouraging and a sign of the confidence that Malaysia's private sector has in its Thai counterpart - we cannot afford to sit back and think there is nothing more to do. "Even without the current global challenges it will be a positive move to further increase intra-Asean trade. "With major Western economies continuing to struggle and the traditional overseas export market contracting, such efforts take on a new significance for both our countries," he said. In her speech, Yingluck said her visit to Malaysia was fruitful, especially in enhancing the bilateral ties and regional corporation. "It is my hope that our bilateral ties through the Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) will continue to grow for mutual benefit. "I therefore look forward to work closely to make our partnership more effective. This will not only allow us to meet the interest of our people but also enhance the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asia," she said. This is Prime Minister Yingluck's maiden visit to the country after assuming office in August last year since her scheduled visit to Malaysia in October last year had to be postponed due to massive floods in Thailand. Earlier, Yingluck had an audience with the Malaysian King Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'azam Shah at Istana Negara (National Palace), and had a close-door meeting with Najib and the Malaysian delegation at the Prime Minister's office here. -- BERNAMA