(VOVworld) - Vietnamese and Malaysian Prime Ministers have held talks following a reception in Kuala Lumpu. Both discussed measures to strengthen bilateral ties and international issues. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was speaking in a press conference after the talks: “Based on our consensus on trusted relations and comprehensive bilateral cooperation, the two Prime Ministers decided to lift the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia to strategic partnership. This will create a new driving force to improve bilateral ties and contribute to the ASEAN Community of peace, stability, cooperation and development.”

Both agreed to promote exchanges of visit at all levels, establish new cooperative mechanism between ministries, especially in politics, security and national defense. They pledged close cooperation to build the ASEAN Economic Community by the year end. They expressed deep concern over recent construction and land reclamation on a large scale on islands in the East Sea, which violated international law and regional agreements, harming trust and seriously threatening peace, security and stability in the region. They reiterated the importance of securing peace, stability, security, navigational and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea.