(VOVWORLD) - The visit by Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam to Malaysia on Nov 21-to 23 spotlighted Vietnam’s ASEAN-centric approach, positioning both nations as key players in counterbalancing external influences in Southeast Asia, according to Thai scholar Kavi Chongkittavorn.
 Vietnamese Party leader To Lam and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Photo: VOV-Bangkok) |
In an article published Friday on the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) website, Kavi Chongkittavorn, a senior fellow at Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Security and International Studies, said Vietnam and Malaysia employ a balanced strategy to manage ties with countries in the region. This approach has helped both countries also affirm their position and contributions to regional stability and prosperity.
Kavi said he believes that the leading role in cooperation by Malaysia and Vietnam will be further affirmed. Malaysia will assume the ASEAN Chair from January 2025 with the hope to promote an inclusive and sustainable ASEAN development for the common prosperity of the entire Community.
Party leader To Lam's visit contributed to opening up great cooperation opportunities, deepening, and raising the level of cooperation between the two countries, he added. Kavi underscored the need for Malaysia and Vietnam to deepen exchanges and cooperation in other areas such as aviation, tourism, education, food security, and energy security. The two countries should coordinate and support each other to develop the Halal food industry, helping to enhance adaptability amid global instability, according to the Thai scholar.