Courtesy Call on Prime Minister of Malaysia Hon. Dato' Sri Mohd Najib by Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto

May 26, 2011
Japanese

Minister for Foreign Affairs Takeaki Matsumoto paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister of Malaysia Hon. Dato' Sri Mohd Najib on Thursday, May 26, who is visiting Japan for the purpose of attending a seminar held by a newspaper company. The outline of the meeting is as follows.

Foreign Minister Matsumoto expressed his condolence and sympathy over the landslide disaster that occurred in Malaysia on Saturday, May 21, and conveyed his heartfelt gratitude for the various assistance provided by Malaysia in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake. Foreign Minister Matsumoto conveyed Japan's intention to cooperate for the Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) toward its opening in September of this year, and to cooperate for the development of Malaysian infrastructure through the technology of Japanese corporations. Foreign Minister Matsumoto further stated Japan's intention to strengthen cooperation and linkages in the international arena, including for the reform of the United Nations Security Council.
Prime Minister Najib again offered his condolences and sympathy regarding the Great East Japan Earthquake and was confident Japan would overcome and recover from this tragedy. Furthermore, Prime Minister Najib stated that Japan was an important trade and investment partner for Malaysia, and expressed the intention of the Government of Malaysia to further strengthen the economic relationship with Japan under the Japan-Malaysia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), including attracting investment from Japan. He stated the belief that there would be much opportunity for Japanese corporations to utilize their advanced technology as part of Malaysia's Economic Transformation Programme. With regard to MJIIT, Prime Minister Najib expressed his gratitude for the cooperation offered by Japan. He conveyed his view that Asia is the driving force of the global economy, and called for the further economic integration of East Asia. Prime Minister Najib expressed support for Japan's permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council.

(*This is a provisional translation. The above date denotes the date of the issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

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