HANOI - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s two-day official visit to Vietnam tomorrow has been described by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir as a very significant one for Malaysia and Vietnam as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Zambry said this was also Anwar’s first official visit to Vietnam since becoming the Prime Minister last November.
He said the visit was also at the invitation of Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Pham Minh Chinh to Anwar when the two leaders attended the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia in May.
"This visit is very significant and meaningful because this year is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries on March 30, 1973.
"This visit is also a recognition of the cooperation and cordial ties between Malaysia and Vietnam over the last five decades,” he told Malaysian journalists at a media conference here in conjunction with the visit tomorrow.
According to Zambry, Anwar will also hold several important meetings with some of Vietnam's top leaders, including President Vo Van Thuong, the Vietnamese Prime Minister, Communist Party of Vietnam secretary-general Ngunyen Phu Trong and Chairman of the National Assembly Vong Dinh Hue.
Zambry added that these leaders were very influential in the leadership structure of Vietnam.
"This time Anwar will have the opportunity to meet the entire leadership strata in Vietnam. This is a recognition for Anwar because he will be given the chance to meet the entire leadership in Vietnam," he said.
Zambry said that in conjunction with the visit, Anwar is also expected to witness the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI).
He expects the memorandum to further strengthen bilateral ties between Malaysia and Vietnam and boost the socio-economic development of the two countries for the benefit of the people. - BERNAMA
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