President of the Malaysian Senate Dato Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah receives National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn in Kuala Lumpur on September 19. — VNA/VNS Photo

KUALA LUMPUR — Việt Nam treasures and wants to effectively deploy its comprehensive strategic partnership with Malaysia, serving the interests of the people of both countries, and contributing to the building of a united and cohesive ASEAN, National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn told President of the Malaysian Senate Dato Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah.  

At his talks with Ali Basah in Kuala Lumpur on Friday as part of his official visit to Malaysia, the top Vietnamese legislator reaffirmed his support for the “Sustainability and Inclusivity” theme of ASEAN 2025, and pledged close coordination with Malaysia–ASEAN Chair 2025 and AIPA-46 President - and other member states to implement the set priorities.

Welcoming Chairman Mẫn’s trip to Malaysia, Ali Basah said the visit marks an important milestone in the bilateral relations, effectively implementing the comprehensive strategic partnership and demonstrating Việt Nam’s commitment, together with the parliaments of ASEAN countries, to building a “sustainable and inclusive” united, resilient ASEAN Community, which will continue to play a central role in the regional architecture.

Chairman Mẫn briefed the host on Việt Nam’s outcomes in constitutional amendments, law-making, administrative streamlining, mergence of provincial-level administrative units, and the operation of two-tier local administration model.

The two sides praised the robust ties built over the past 50 years, highlighted by the upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership in November 2024. They agreed to boost political trust; expand exchanges and economic, trade, and investment cooperation; address legal bottlenecks to facilitate Malaysian businesses’ greater investment in Việt Nam; develop the Halal industry; coordinate to tackle illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing; and enhance people-to-people links.

The top legislators pledged to deepen legislative cooperation through more exchanges at all levels, stronger links among specialised committees of the two countries’ legislatures, friendship groups, and female and young parliamentarians, and joint efforts to improve the legal framework for the new stage of the bilateral ties.

The two sides hold talks as part of NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn's official visit to Malaysia. — VNA/VNS Photo

They also agreed to coordinate in monitoring bilateral agreements, especially the development of an Action Programme to implement the Việt Nam–Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership, including inter-parliamentary cooperation.

The NA Chairman urged Malaysia to create favourable conditions for the Việt Namese community living and working in the country, and to treat Việt Namese fishing vessels and fishermen with a humanitarian approach.

Ali Basah thanked the Vietnamese NA for its support to the Malaysian Parliament during its AIPA-46 Chairmanship and Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair 2025.

The two sides agreed to work with ASEAN countries to build a united, inclusive, and resilient ASEAN, uphold the bloc’s central role, particularly on the East Sea issue, and contribute to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

Chairman Mẫn took this occasion to invite the President of the Malaysian Senate to visit Việt Nam, and Ali Basah gladly accepted the invitation.

The same day, Ali Basah hosted a banquet in honour of NA Chairman, his spouse, and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation. — VNA/VNS