In a significant development, Malaysia and Viet Nam elevated their Bilateral Relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) on 21st November, 2024. The move comes in the backdrop of Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, Official Visit to Malaysia from 21-23rd November, 2024.
The resolve to upgrade their relationship came during the Summit meeting that took place between the Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the General Secretary Mr. To Lam in the Putrajaya City.
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: Background and Features
During the Summit Meeting, both the leaders expressed satisfaction with the comprehensive cooperation between their two countries that spanned over five decades of construction and development, overcoming challenges and thus getting stronger every day. Since the elevation of Bilateral Relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2015, the cooperation between the countries have strengthened considerably and comprises of significant achievements in all aspects of bilateral and multilateral engagement that are based on mutual understanding and trust, common vision for regional security and prosperity, sustainable development, similarities in culture and history and deep ties between the two peoples.
Considering the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two governments pledged to support each other’s development path, foster and strengthen friendly cooperation and political confidence on the basis of respect for international law, independence and each other’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions.
In order to strengthen connections, resolve difficulties and promote cooperation and embark on a new chapter in the Bilateral Cooperation between them, the two sides agreed on the following themes;
- To enhance trust and political, defense and security, legal and judicial cooperation for a solid relationship foundation, and contribute to a peaceful and stable environment for development,
- To strengthen economic cohesion for sustainable growth as a contribution to common development and prosperity,
- To deepen cooperation in new areas such as the green economy, innovation, science and technology, digital transformation, green energy, etc., and strengthen close ties in other important areas like cooperation in education, training, human resources development, labour, culture, sports, tourism and people-to-people links, etc. and
- Endeavour to provide mutual support and close coordination on regional and international issues for shared peace, security and stability; which is to strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral fora, especially ASEAN, the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum and promote stronger development of ASEAN for the realization of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and beyond and to support sub-regional cooperation and connectivity, including in the Mekong sub-region.
Conclusion
The elevation of the Bilateral Relationship to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership holds immense importance for both the nations and formed a crucial part of the General Secretary’s visit. As per the Joint Statement released, the directions and measures of the new partnership shall be in accordance with the socio-economic context, law and regulations of each country.
Additionally, the two leaders also witnessed the exchange of MoUs on trade and renewable energy cooperation between them.
