President Lee Jae-myung had his first phone call after taking office with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, said Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong from the Yongsan Presidential Office.
According to the Presidential Office on the 23rd, Prime Minister Anwar congratulated President Lee on that day, and President Lee conveyed his congratulations on the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year.
President Lee noted that he would develop the friendship and cooperation between the two countries based on the trust and friendship built over more than half a century.
The two leaders agreed to expand cooperation in various fields, including the conclusion of the Korea-Malaysia Free Trade Agreement (FTA), ▲trade ▲investment ▲infrastructure ▲digital transformation ▲green growth ▲defense industry.
They also formed a consensus to contribute together to strengthening international cooperation in response to global challenges as Malaysia, the chair country of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and Korea, the chair country of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) this year.
The two leaders decided to continue active exchanges based on various occasions, including the ASEAN and APEC summits.
Korea and Malaysia are celebrating the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year, with the previous government having formalized the establishment of a strategic partnership between the two countries. Both sides promised cooperation in four areas: ▲government and security ▲economy ▲regional and international issues ▲culture, education, and tourism.
The two countries are currently accelerating negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), aiming for a conclusion this year.