Latest news with #58thAseanForeignMinisters'MeetingandRelatedMeetings
The Star
4 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Anwar meets leaders from seven countries
PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held a series of bilateral meetings with senior leaders from seven countries, including China and Australia, where discussions centred around efforts to further strengthen ties. The meetings held at the Prime Minister's Office also involved representatives from Pakistan, Turkiye, Palestine, United Kingdom and European Union, who are here for the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings. On his meeting with China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Prime Minister said both sides discussed various aspects of Malaysia-China ties, which continues to be strengthened following President Xi Jinping's visit to Malaysia in April. 'We explored efforts to narrow the trade gap and expand cooperation in the port, liquefied natural gas (LNG), water, digital economy and green technology sectors,' he said, Bernama reported. Anwar also expressed appreciation for China's support of Asean's Five-Point Consensus regarding the situation in Myanmar, reiterating the importance of a peaceful resolution to the South China Sea issue, in line with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). During his meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, the Prime Minister welcomed investors' interest in the smart manufacturing, digital economy, artificial intelligence and renewable energy sectors. 'Australia has also been invited to participate in the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas) this September, in line with the halal economy's vast potential as a driver of future cooperation,' he said. In a meeting with Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Anwar said discussions revolved around the upcoming official visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to Malaysia, during which several memoranda of understanding are expected to be signed. The two leaders also explored potential cooperation in agriculture, particularly in rice trade, and exchanged views on regional and global developments, including Asean-Pakistan relations and the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Anwar also received a courtesy call from Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, where he expressed interest in encouraging further investments in strategic sectors such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, digital and green economy, artificial intelligence (AI) and aerospace. On his meeting with the United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Anwar said the discussion focused on enhancing cooperation across various areas, including investment, energy transition, education, climate change, defence, digitalisation and AI. 'I also welcome increased UK investments, particularly in the semiconductor and green infrastructure sectors,' he said. The Prime Minister, who also met Palestinian Planning and International Cooperation Minister Dr Estephan Salameh, said Malaysia continues to strengthen its role in supporting the Palestinian people, particularly in the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza. On his meeting with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, Anwar said Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening ties with the EU, which is currently Malaysia's fourth-largest trading partner, with total trade reaching US$47.93bil in 2024.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Australia committed to regional balance
KUALA LUMPUR: Australia remains committed to upholding regional balance amid shifting power dynamics, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said. In the face of China's growing influence and an evolving regional landscape, Wong reaffirmed the government's commitment to promoting a region where sovereignty is protected. "I've made it clear for a number of years now that we want to see a region where no one country dominates and no country is dominated. "We want to see a region where sovereignty is protected. We want to see a region where there is a balance of power and strategic stability, where countries can make their own choices and where we do not see coercion or duress," she said. Wong reaffirmed Australia's longstanding commitment to maintaining balance and stability in the Indo-Pacific, adding that the government would continue working with countries in the region and beyond to uphold those principles. She was speaking to the media at a press conference held in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings. She also emphasised the importance of continued US engagement, calling it critical to maintaining strategic stability in the region. "US engagement in this region is critical to strategic stability. We believe that and we continue to work not just with the US but with Asean to assure that and also with other countries, including South Korea and Japan," she said. On ties with China, Wong said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese would proceed to Beijing for the next annual leaders' meeting, describing it as part of Australia's diplomatic framework with China. "We have made clear we want a stable relationship with China. We know there are areas where we can cooperate, and we will. "But we also know that dialogue and engagement are in all our interests because that enables us to navigate the relationship better," she added.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Australia pledges A$10mil for regional disaster relief, Myanmar refugees
KUALA LUMPUR: Australia will commit an additional A$10 million in humanitarian assistance to strengthen disaster response efforts across the region and provide support for displaced women and girls from Myanmar, said Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The new funding comes on top of the A$1.3 billion development fund Wong unveiled yesterday for Asean countries, aimed at helping offset the impact of recent United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funding cuts. "When our region is healthier, more stable and better prepared for disasters, that also ensures Australia's security and safety," she told the media at a press conference in conjunction with the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings. US President Donald Trump's administration slashed more than 80 per cent of USAID programmes in March, describing the move as a bid to cut "wasteful spending" and has since weighed dismantling the agency altogether. The US was previously the largest contributor to United Nations humanitarian assistance, providing at least 38 per cent of total funding last year. When asked what Australia hopes to gain from the A$1.3 billion aid, Wong said the move reflects a broader shift in focus within the country's development assistance programme. She noted that several development partners had scaled back their contributions to the region, prompting Australia to adjust its own approach. "There has been a reduction in development assistance from a number of development partners, as we have sought to where we can pivot our aid to the region. "We're not a superpower. We're a middle power and a longstanding dialogue partner of Asean, and we recognise the importance of this region," she added. Wong said a substantial portion of Australia's aid is already directed to its immediate neighbourhood and reaffirmed the government's commitment to continue prioritising the region. She acknowledged that this focus has required difficult decisions, including reallocating resources to meet urgent regional needs. "That has meant making some hard decisions in order to prioritise development assistance in our region, for example in Timor-Leste and in Myanmar," Wong said.
The Star
6 days ago
- Business
- The Star
PM to raise tariff issue with Rubio
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is continuing negotiations with the United States over the recently announced 25% tariffs, with Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim saying he will raise the matter with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in their meeting today. The Prime Minister said relations with the United States must continue, adding that Malaysia must also defend its position. 'We are still in the midst of negotiations, and when I meet Secretary Rubio, I will raise some of these issues for his consideration before the final decision by US President Donald Trump,' he told reporters after officiating the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings. Anwar said Malaysia had sent teams to negotiate and explain Malaysia's role as a trading nation. 'Any unilateral tariffs will have a negative impact on the country's economy as well as the region,' he said. Rubio is making his first trip to Asia as America's top diplomat. He will be travelling to Malaysia to meet with Asean countries. On April 2, Trump announced tariffs on various countries including 24% on Malaysia. The tariffs were paused for 90 days to allow for negotiations. On Monday, Trump announced varying tariff rates on 14 countries to take effect on Aug 1, including a 25% rate on Malaysia. Apart from Malaysia, 25% tariffs were also imposed on countries including Japan, South Korea, Tunisia and Kazakhstan. Some countries were hit with higher rates such as South Africa (30%); Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%); Indonesia (32%); Serbia (35%); Bangladesh (35%); Cambodia (36%); Thailand (36%); and 40% on Laos and Myanmar. International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz meanwhile said that Malaysia is optimistic that further negotiations will bring a positive outcome. He said the Aug 1 deadline provides Malaysia several weeks to negotiate for a 'win-win' trade deal for both countries. 'Of course, we will continue the engagement. 'If we are not optimistic, why should we continue the engagement? 'The important thing is that the US still wants to negotiate,' he added.
New Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Asean to welcome Algeria and Uruguay as TAC signatories today
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean is set to welcome Algeria and Uruguay as new signatories to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) today. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, in his speech at the opening ceremony of the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and Related Meetings, said Asean principles are now being embraced well beyond the region. He added that Malaysia, on Friday, will host the Fourth Cooperation Among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development, reaffirming Asean's solidarity with the Palestinian people. The TAC, first signed in 1976, remains one of Asean's key instruments for promoting peaceful interstate relations. Recently, Foreign Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin at a curtain-raiser press conference ahead of the Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings had said that TAC continues to gain momentum, with more countries expressing interest in joining the pact. (Link: Meanwhile, Mohamad said Asean has come a long way since its inception, 58 years ago. "On that day, five of our leaders gathered to plant the seeds of our community, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. "This was a major turning point in the history of the region. In 1967, Asean was born into a world defined by nuclear brinkmanship and proxy wars being fought across the globe. "Amid such tensions, it was a visionary act to bring five Southeast Asian nations together in the name of peace. "In a world fragmented by conflict, our founders chose to build bridges and uplift multilateralism," he said. He said today, Asean has never shied away from ambition.
