Malaysia-Australia Reaffirms Depth Of CSP In Bolstering Bilateral Ties

PUTRAJAYA, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Australia are committed to further strengthening their bilateral ties and cooperation across various sectors under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) framework. 

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong reaffirmed the strength of the CSP, which continues to grow across three key pillars: economic prosperity, society and technology, and defence and regional security.

Malaysian Foreign Ministry in a statement said the reaffirmation was made at the 7th Malaysia-Australia Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AFMM) co-chaired by Mohamad and Wong in Melbourne, Australia, on Friday.

They also welcomed progress on new agreements covering immigration, transnational crime, education, maritime enforcement, and trade facilitation.

On trade and investment, both sides agreed to expand cooperation in the green economy, agrifood, energy, digital technology, and critical minerals sectors, while strengthening partnership in halal cooperation.

“They also emphasised the need to further bolster cooperation in the education sector, including allocating more scholarships for Malaysian students, increasing mobility programmes, expanding the operation of Australian universities in Malaysia and easing visa requirements for Malaysian students,” the statement read.

On security, both foreign ministers reaffirmed cooperation under the Five Power Defence Arrangements, the Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Programme, and Operation REDBACK.

They also committed to strengthening maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber resilience, and efforts against transnational crime, the statement added.

During the meeting, Wong voiced support for ASEAN Centrality and Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship.

On regional and international issues, Mohamad and Wong had discussed developments in the South China Sea, Myanmar, the Cambodia-Thailand conflict, and the situation in Palestine.

“They reaffirmed their shared commitment to a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific, underscoring that Malaysia and Australia remain close partners working together to address global challenges and build opportunities for the future.

In a joint statement issued following the meeting, both ministers acknowledged the strong relations between the two nations as signified by the 70th anniversary of Australia's diplomatic presence in Malaysia this year.

“The ministers emphasised that both countries are deeply connected through historical ties, people-to-people connections, defence and security, and strategic economic cooperation. \

“Both ministers highlighted their shared interests in regional stability, respect for sovereignty, and fostering shared economic prosperity.

“The ministers encouraged ongoing and sustained high-level engagement between both countries and looked forward to the forthcoming Annual Leaders’ Meeting,” the statement said.

Highlighting the progress of the CSP which was established in Jan 2021, Mohamad and Wong acknowledged the planned expansion of partnership by concluding the negotiation of memoranda of understanding (MoU) spelling out cooperations on immigration; transnational crime; education; maritime enforcement; and an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA),” the statement said.

Both ministers emphasised the global importance of stable China-United States relations.

"They urged all nations to maintain actions that promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Both ministers affirmed their commitment to fostering positive and mutually beneficial relationships with all countries,” the statement said.

-- BERNAMA