(VOVworld) - Malaysia and Japan agreed to upgrade their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership during talks between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Malaysian Prime Minsiter, Najib Razak, in Tokyo on Monday.

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe and Malaysian PM Najib Razak  (Photo: japantimes.co.jp)

Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Razak said the ties between the two countries have progressed well over the years alongside cooperation in the economy, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Razak said both sides share a determination to enhance their collaboration in five areas - peace and stability; maintaining free, open and stable seas; investment through the Look East Policy (LEP) 2.0; expanding cooperation in cultural exchanges and people-to-people exchanges; and joining regional and global discussions.

Concerning China’s land reclamation in the East Sea, Abe and Najib urged China and other involved parties to settle disputes and differences through peaceful means and in accordance with universally recognized principles of international law.

The leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation and over-flight in the East Sea, and called for the early establishment of an effective code of conduct in the East Sea.