ID :
56564
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:35
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/56564
The shortlink copeid
MALAYSIAN KING MEETS CHILEAN PRESIDENT
From Abdul Aziz Harun
SANTIAGO (Chile), April 21(Bernama) -- The Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, and his consort Tuanku Nur Zahirah had an audience with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on the second day of their visit here Monday.
Their majesties were earlier accorded a state welcome at the Constitution
Square where they were greeted by Bachelet upon arrival.
They were then ushered to the Presidential Palace, passing by the
presidential guard-of-honour.
Tuanku Mizan was conferred the Order of Merit and reciprocated by conferring
the Darjah Mahkota Seri Negara (DMN) on Bachelet.
Bachelet and the royal couple then proceeded to Patio de las Camelas for a
state luncheon.
Tuanku Mizan and Tuanku Nur Zahirah are on a five-day state visit to Chile,
aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.
In his speech at the luncheon, Tuanku Mizan said that although Malaysia and
Chile were separated by the hugh expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the geographical
distance, the difference in languages, cultures and historical backgrounds
should not pose as barrier to closer relations between the two countries.
He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two
countries about a decade ago, Malaysia and Chile had entered into many
partnerships and cooperation that would bring progress and prosperity, while at
the international level the two countries had cooperated closely in search of
peace, justice and stability.
"We are pleased to note that our countries are currently engaged in
negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which augurs well for economic
relations between Malaysia and Chile. Chile will be the first Latin American
country that has an FTA with Malaysia," he said.
Tuanku Mizan said that through the 'prosper-thy-neighbour' philosophy,
Malaysia was prepared to share its development experience with other developing
countries through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) and since
1997, 67 Chileans had participated in its various programmes.
Bachelet said the link between the two regions went as far back as the first
voyage around the world when a sailor from Malaysia, Panglima Awang, or also
known as Henry of Mallaca, sailed with Hernando Magallanes and visited the
shores of Chile as well as the Malay Archipelago.
She added that Chile would always remember the invaluable support from
Malaysia when it joined the Asia Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) in the
course of Bogor Summit in 1994.
Chile and Malaysia shared similar views on many regional and global issues
and this was important in facing the present global economic crisis, she said,
adding that the temptation of protectionism would only worsen the situation and
delay economic recovery.
"We must insist on the urgent need to design a new international financial
architecture to ensure that it is not the most vulnerable, the poor, the
outcasts who will pay for the irresponsibility and the greed of a few," she
said.
In the afternoon, Tuanku Mizan had an audience with Chilean Supreme Court
of Justice President Urbano Marin while Tuanku Nur Zahirah hold a separate
programme.
Later, the Malaysian King had an audience with the President of the
Senate, Jovino Novoa, and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo
Alvarez.
Meanwhile, Tuanku Nur Zahirah visited the Chilean Foundation Youth
Orchestra.
-- BERNAMA
SANTIAGO (Chile), April 21(Bernama) -- The Malaysian King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, and his consort Tuanku Nur Zahirah had an audience with Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on the second day of their visit here Monday.
Their majesties were earlier accorded a state welcome at the Constitution
Square where they were greeted by Bachelet upon arrival.
They were then ushered to the Presidential Palace, passing by the
presidential guard-of-honour.
Tuanku Mizan was conferred the Order of Merit and reciprocated by conferring
the Darjah Mahkota Seri Negara (DMN) on Bachelet.
Bachelet and the royal couple then proceeded to Patio de las Camelas for a
state luncheon.
Tuanku Mizan and Tuanku Nur Zahirah are on a five-day state visit to Chile,
aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries.
In his speech at the luncheon, Tuanku Mizan said that although Malaysia and
Chile were separated by the hugh expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the geographical
distance, the difference in languages, cultures and historical backgrounds
should not pose as barrier to closer relations between the two countries.
He said that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two
countries about a decade ago, Malaysia and Chile had entered into many
partnerships and cooperation that would bring progress and prosperity, while at
the international level the two countries had cooperated closely in search of
peace, justice and stability.
"We are pleased to note that our countries are currently engaged in
negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which augurs well for economic
relations between Malaysia and Chile. Chile will be the first Latin American
country that has an FTA with Malaysia," he said.
Tuanku Mizan said that through the 'prosper-thy-neighbour' philosophy,
Malaysia was prepared to share its development experience with other developing
countries through the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) and since
1997, 67 Chileans had participated in its various programmes.
Bachelet said the link between the two regions went as far back as the first
voyage around the world when a sailor from Malaysia, Panglima Awang, or also
known as Henry of Mallaca, sailed with Hernando Magallanes and visited the
shores of Chile as well as the Malay Archipelago.
She added that Chile would always remember the invaluable support from
Malaysia when it joined the Asia Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) in the
course of Bogor Summit in 1994.
Chile and Malaysia shared similar views on many regional and global issues
and this was important in facing the present global economic crisis, she said,
adding that the temptation of protectionism would only worsen the situation and
delay economic recovery.
"We must insist on the urgent need to design a new international financial
architecture to ensure that it is not the most vulnerable, the poor, the
outcasts who will pay for the irresponsibility and the greed of a few," she
said.
In the afternoon, Tuanku Mizan had an audience with Chilean Supreme Court
of Justice President Urbano Marin while Tuanku Nur Zahirah hold a separate
programme.
Later, the Malaysian King had an audience with the President of the
Senate, Jovino Novoa, and the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Rodrigo
Alvarez.
Meanwhile, Tuanku Nur Zahirah visited the Chilean Foundation Youth
Orchestra.
-- BERNAMA
