HANOI, Feb 25 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim paid a courtesy call on the Communist Party of Vietnam's General Secretary Tô Lâm at the party’s headquarters, marking the start of his two-day working visit to the Asean-member country.
His courtesy call took place merely an hour after his arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, his second visit to Vietnam since assuming office in November 2022.
Anwar and Lâm spent about 30 minutes discussing various matters related to bilateral diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Vietnam.
Lâm undertook an official visit to Malaysia in November last year, his first since being elected as head of the Communist Party of Vietnam in August.
The Foreign Ministry said that Anwar is also scheduled to meet with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam's President Lương Cường, as well as with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính tomorrow.
In a statement, it added that the meetings will provide an opportunity for both countries to chart a clear path towards strengthening bilateral cooperation under the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Besides Lam, Anwar also paid a courtesy call on Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta, tonight at a hotel in Hanoi where both leaders are staying.
He is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Second Asean Future Forum, organised by the Vietnamese government tomorrow.
Speaking to the Malaysian press, Malaysia’s Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai said that as Asean chairman, the Prime Minister’s keynote address at the forum tomorrow will emphasise efforts to strengthen the regional grouping in addressing several key issues.
“The Prime Minister's keynote address will generally highlight efforts to reinforce Asean in the face of major power competition, advance Asean's digital economy agenda, drive green initiatives, and prioritise sustainable development to secure the future of Asean member states,” he said.
Anwar will leave for home tomorrow after attending the forum.
— Bernama
[caption id="attachment_391327" align="aligncenter" width="1154"]
(from left to right) Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim shakes hands with Timor-Leste President José Ramos-Horta during their meeting at a hotel in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 25, 2025. — Picture by FATH RIZAL/JABATAN PERDANA MENTERI[/caption]
