STEINBERG: MALAYSIA AN IMPORTANT TRADING AND POLITICAL PARTNER

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) appreciates Prime
Minister Najib Tun Razak's commitment in strengthening ties between
Malaysia and the US, US Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg said.

He said the US believed that there were opportunities to build a more
productive relationship with Malaysia, which he described as a good partner for
the US.

"Bilateral relationship between Malaysia and the US is a very important one.
We see Malaysia as an important partner for us; as trading partner as well as
political partner," he told a media conference.

Steinberg, who was on a one-day visit to the country, had earlier called on
Najib at the prime minister's office in Putrajaya and later met Defence Minister
Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Deputy Foreign Minister A. Kohilan Pillay.

Steinberg said that he had productive discussions which covered issues of
mutual interest in broadening and deepening relationship between both countries.



"Malaysia plays a critical role in key institutions like Asean, Organisation
of the Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement and can be a good partner
for the US.

"So, we quite value this bilateral relationship. We believe we can make it
even stronger in the future.

"We express appreciation for the commitment shown by the prime minister to
build on that relationship and looked forward for a very productive discussion,"
he said.

On his meeting with Ahmad Zahid, Steinberg said Pentagon would strengthen
ties with the Malaysian Defence Ministry.

"We also discussed human trafficking. We express our appreciation for the
commitments by the prime minister and the government to take this issue. We
looked forward to the Malaysian government working with us to address this very
urging humanitarian situation," he said.

-- BERNAMA