Malaysia and Australia reaffirm commitment to boost ties

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Australia have reaffirmed their commitment to enhance cooperation in multifaceted areas of mutual interest, driven by the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) that both countries will build on, according to Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.

He said he and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong had discussed in depth the various positive growth areas under the CSP including the economy, people-to-people relations, technology as well as on stability and security in the region, especially in the post-Covid-19 pandemic period and beyond.

“We expressed our delight over the positive growth of our multifaceted cooperation, especially in the post-pandemic period.

“Malaysia is confident that all of the various collaborative efforts made under the partnership will contribute significantly towards supporting the region to rise from the challenges posed by the pandemic,” he told a joint news conference with Wong at his office here yesterday, reported Bernama.

Earlier, Saifuddin and Wong held a bilateral meeting that covered a wide range of topics concerning both countries as well as current regional and global issues.

Malaysia and Australia elevated their bilateral ties to the CSP in January 2021. Australia also established a Comprehensive Partnership with Asean last year.

Wong said Malaysia and Australia would work to give greater momentum to the partnership.

As part of her three-day working visit to Malaysia, Sabah-born Wong would also meet with International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein before going to Kota Kinabalu today.