Exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding on justice and legal affairs cooperation between Viet Nam and Malaysia

22/03/2022
Exchange of the Memorandum of Understanding on justice and legal affairs cooperation between Viet Nam and Malaysia
At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam Pham Minh Chinh, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob and the high-level Malaysian delegation paid an official visit to Viet Nam from 20 to 21 March 2022.
The official visit to Viet Nam by Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob takes place at a timely moment as the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Malaysia is developing strongly. The two countries are looking forward to their 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973-2023). Besides, the visit also aims at furthering bilateral relations and enhance the cooperation synergy of the two countries in post COVID-19 pandemic era.At the same time, this is also an opportunity for both sides to promote new aspects of bilateral cooperation; discuss regional and international issues of mutual interest; promote trade and investment activities between the two countries. Malaysian Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus bin Harunwas on the list to accompany Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob during this visit to Viet Nam. On the Vietnamese side, Minister of Justice Le Thanh Longattended the official meeting and welcome ceremony. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Sri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob witnessed the signing of many important cooperation documents between the two countries, including the Memorandum of Understanding on justice and legal affairs cooperation between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Government of Malaysia (MoU).
Before the signing of the MoU, cooperation activities between the Ministry of Justice of Viet Nam and the Office of the Attorney General of Malaysia were only carried out on a case-by-case basis, mainly through the exchange of delegations and experts to share experiences on fields of common interest. To establish a legal basis and promote official cooperation between the two Parties, the Ministry of Justice of Viet Nam and the Office of the Attorney General of Malaysia hadgone through many rounds of negotiations, and finallyagreed on the contents of the MoU. Both sides completed internal procedures to sign the MoUin accordance with laws of each Party.
The main contents of the MoU include: (i) Exchange of legal publications that have been published on issues of mutual concern; (ii) Sharing and exchanging experiences and best practices in areas of mutual interest, especially in the field of legal reform; (iii) Exchange of legal experts for the purpose of participating in trainings, conferences, seminars and legal research that would be agreed by the Parties; (iv) Strengthen and develop contact points among legal officers to promote and exchange experiences; (v) Cooperation on regional and international legal issues, including cooperation within the ASEAN framework.
The signing of this MoUis a good opportunity for Viet Nam and Malaysia to learn from each other’s strengths, and for Viet Nam it willcontribute to the goals of improving the legal system and judicial reform of Viet Nam, especially in the context of international integration.