Media Release
7 July, 2009
Australia and Malaysia: New Directions for Cooperation
I am in Kuala Lumpur again today on my first official visit to Malaysia.
Yesterday, I met Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah for the inaugural Australia-Malaysia Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
With Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, I also met Malaysian Prime Minister Najib.
The two Prime Ministers agreed to greater sharing of intelligence relating to people smuggling.
They also agreed that Defence Chiefs will discuss what can be done to further cooperate on combating people smuggling.
Today I met other Malaysian Ministers including the Minister responsible for Economic Planning, the Minister for Defence and the Deputy Minister for Home Affairs.
We discussed a range of issues including our response to the global economic recession and the outlook for both our economies.
Our commercial relationship is very strong and I look forward to forthcoming negotiations on the Malaysia Australia Free Trade Agreement, building on the success of the recently concluded ASEAN - Australia - New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.
I also welcome the Malaysian Government's services and foreign investment liberalisation program. This is an important signal of Malaysia's commitment to liberalisation and an open economy.
Building on the already extensive education links, I visited one of the Australia-Malaysia Sister Schools, a program that will now be doubled to 24 schools.
Yesterday I also had the opportunity to meet Afghan teachers participating in the Malaysia-Australia Education Project to train teachers from Afghanistan, and am pleased to announce agreement for the ongoing funding of the program.
Australia and Malaysia also agreed to negotiate Memoranda of Understanding on sports cooperation, higher education and film co-production. I am pleased that Australia will offer a sports coaching scholarship to Malaysia supported by the Australia-Malaysia Institute.
We will also deepen diplomatic cooperation between our two countries through the young diplomats' dialogue, held last week, and diplomatic training exchanges between our two foreign ministries.
Media inquiries:
- Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555