PUTRAJAYA: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard said she chose Malaysia as the first country to visit in the region, to show her personal commitment to realising the full potential of Australia’s relationship with Malaysia.
WARM WELCOME: Gillard (centre) accompanied by Rosmah (right) and Muhyiddin (left) at Seri Perdana yesterday. — Bernama photo
She said that though the relationship between the countries was in ‘good shape’, she believed that it could be enhanced further.
“So, I wanted to make this early visit as a way of showing that I am personally committed to ensuring that our relationship with Malaysia realises its full potential. I also wanted to note our longstanding collaboration on key security challenges in the region and to talk through working together in the future on those challenges,” she said at a joint press conference with Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, here yesterday.
Gillard, who arrived here last night, is on a two-day visit to Malaysia.
This is her first visit to the region since becoming prime minister in June.
Gillard said the significant relationship between the two countries was partly due to economic ties, as Malaysia was Australia’s third largest trading partner in Asean.
She said the prospect of concluding the Malaysia-Australia Free Trade Agreement had also been discussed at the meeting, and both parties shared a commitment to conclude the agreement next year.
On education, Gillard said there was already strong cooperation and exchange between both countries in the field, which was reflected by the 23,000 Malaysians studying in Australian education institutions currently.
She said some collaborative work between the two countries had been done in the field of vocational education and training development, which would be pursued by a memorandum of understanding.
“I am also pleased that I will be able to announce that three Malaysians will receive the Australia Asia Endeavour Awards, which are there to support further their study,” she said.
Gillard said Australia was also interested in continuing the collaboration of the two countries in training Afghanistan teachers, which was already facilitated by around 60 Afghans being trained as master teachers, here in Malaysia.
Gillard, who was scheduled to meet with Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, sent her best wishes to the prime minister for a speedy recovery from chicken pox.
Najib has been advised to rest at home and avoid all public and official functions. — Bernama