(KPL/VNA) Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has affirmed that this country and Singapore will coordinate to ensure that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) operates effectively, focusing on responding to new challenges.

Speaking at a joint press conference on June 12 after Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's official visit to Malaysia, Anwar said that both Malaysia and Singapore felt that ASEAN is extremely important and strategic. The two countries are committed to ensuring that ASEAN can function more effectively and focus on new challenges relating to energy, digital trade and joint investment.

Anwar said he and his Singaporean counterpart discussed all outstanding issues, including special economic zones, finance, highway systems. They committed to resolving outstanding issues such as water agreement, airspace and maritime borders and look forward to very healthy and strong relations to benefit both countries.

Meanwhile, Wong said Singapore will fully support Malaysia as ASEAN Chair in 2025 and the relationship between the two countries is developing well and has great potential for deeper cooperation.

Statistics showed that Malaysia and Singapore were each other's second-largest trading partners in 2023. Singapore is also Malaysia's largest trading partner among ASEAN countries with a total trade value of 79.60 billion USD.

Earlier, Singapore’s new PM Lawrence Won paid an official visit to Brunei, during which, Wong said the two neighbours are committed to expanding cooperation into new areas on the occasion of the 40th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year.

KPL