Prime Minister holds phone call with Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim

Anwar informed Pham about Malaysia's efforts as the current ASEAN Chair in settling Cambodia-Thailand border tensions, including promoting dialogue, ensuring solidarity and unity in addresing the issue, and calling on both Cambodia and Thailand to exercise self-restraint, avoid the use of force, and peacefully and satisfactorily resolve disagreements on the basis of the fundamental principles of international law, the United Nations Charter, the ASEAN Charter, and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

Pham appreciated the regular phone conversations with the Malaysian counterpart, which have helped both sides to coordinate and share information on the issues of mutual interests, reflecting the increasingly high political trust between the two countries and their senior leaders under the spirit of the Viet Nam-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership.

Pham conveyed the greetings from General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man to Prime Minister Anwar.

He spoke highly of the efforts made by Prime Minister Anwar and Malaysia in promoting the settlement of border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, especially in hosting the meeting between the Cambodian Prime Minister and the Thai acting Prime Minister on July 28, during which Cambodia and Thailand reached a ceasefire agreement – the first positive move to control the escalation of tensions between Cambodia and Thailand.

Pham affirmed Viet Nam always supports and stands ready to join ASEAN's efforts and coordinate with Malaysia as the current ASEAN Chair in handling regional issues and maintaining ASEAN solidarity.

Viet Nam is also ready to send representatives to join ASEAN-led mechanisms to ensure the implementation of the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire agreement at the request of Malaysia and to provide humanitarian assistance to the peoples of Cambodia and Thailand.

Regarding bilateral ties, the two Prime Ministers agreed to continue exchanges, enhance trust, and work out measures to further deepen the Viet Nam-Malaysia comprehensive strategic partnership, with a focus on cooperation in innovation, science and technology, energy, as well as electricity transmission between Viet Nam, Malaysia and Singapore to formulate ASEAN power grid.

Both sides also agreed to soon sign an agreement on trade in rice in a bid to help Malaysia ensure food security.

The two Prime Ministers compared notes on regional and international issues of common concerns, including trade and tariff, for peace, stability, and prosperity of the two countries, of the region and the world./.