OUTCOME OF THE WORKING VISIT OF THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF AUSTRALIA THE HONOURABLE JULIE BISHOP TO MALAYSIA 14-15 MARCH 2017
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, the Honourable Julie Bishop made a working visit to Malaysia on 14-15 March 2017. During her visit, the Honourable Julie Bishop and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, the Honourable Dato’ Sri Anifah Haji Aman, held a Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 15 March 2017 at Wisma Putra, Putrajaya.
During the meeting, both leaders had a fruitful discussion on wide range of issues of common interests. The Honourable Dato’ Sri Anifah Haji Aman reiterated Malaysia’s commitment to Malaysia-Australia Strategic Partnership which was announced by YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak, Prime Minister of Malaysia and Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia on 22 November 2015 at the sidelines of the 27th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
On education cooperation, Hon. Julie Bishop mentioned that there were 300,000 Malaysian had graduated from Australian universities while around 800 Australian students has been approved to study in Malaysia under the New Colombo Plan for 2015-2017. Australia has also offered diplomatic training courses for Malaysian diplomatic officials in Australia to enhance the strategic engagement between both countries.
Defence and security cooperation were also highlighted in the meeting whereby Malaysia and Australia has long-standing defence relations since the Malayan Campaign in World War II, and continued to develop under the auspices of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Programme. Both countries has agreed to enhance the cooperation in counter terrorism to address mutual concerns.
Both leaders also discussed the trade and investment cooperation which benefited both countries under the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement (MAFTA) which was signed on 22 May 2012.
Other than bilateral relations and cooperation, both leaders also shared their views on the current global situation including on major power interaction in the region, development in the Korean peninsula and the South China Sea issue. Malaysia and Australia also touched on the incident of MH 370 and MH17 and the way forward in addressing the issue.
This year marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia-Australia and the visit of the Honourable Julie Bishop served as a demonstration of the unwavering commitment of both sides to propel the bilateral relations to higher level.
In commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Australia, Australia has agreed to participate in the exhibition organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia which will be held at the National Museum of Malaysia from 20 April to 20 July 2017. Australia also agreed to assist on provision of an international relations expert for a round-table discussion and public lecture in Malaysia in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
PUTRAJAYA
15 March 2017
