Strong momentum in Malaysia-US bilateral relations to continue
Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a telephone conversation last night, where both expressed their determination to continue the momentum of the existing strong bilateral relations.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra), the aforementioned bilateral ties include multifaceted areas, including health and security...
Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a telephone conversation last night, where both expressed their determination to continue the momentum of the existing strong bilateral relations.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Wisma Putra), the aforementioned bilateral ties include multifaceted areas, including health and security.
Saifuddin (above) and Blinken also discussed international and regional issues, including the Australia-United Kingdom-US trilateral security partnership (Aukus), the situation in Myanmar and Afghanistan and the South China Sea.
Regarding Aukus, the statement said Saifuddin shared Malaysia’s concern over the potential escalation of an arms race in the region and reiterated Malaysia’s firm commitment to maintaining Asean as a Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality (Zopfan).
The minister also reiterated the call for all concerned parties to respect and comply with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos), and the Asean’s Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapons Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty.
He hoped all concerned parties would strengthen existing cooperation so as to ensure peace, security, and stability in the region, as espoused in the Asean Outlook on Indo-Pacific.
"Saifuddin also reiterated Malaysia’s utmost appreciation for the US’ generous contribution of one million doses of Covid-19 Pfizer vaccine delivered to the Government of Malaysia last July, and the US$800,000 (RM3.35 million) financial aid through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent in support of Malaysia’s National Covid-19 Immunisation Programme," the statement said.
The US, through its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, has also been extending various other assistance and contributions worth US$2.85 million (RM11.918 million) to Malaysia since the outbreak of the pandemic.
"Both leaders expressed their commitment to maintaining continuous engagement between the two countries, including exchange of visits to capitalise on the vast potential of the Malaysia-US Comprehensive Partnership," the statement added.
- Bernama
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