MALAYSIA, FINLAND TO STRENGTHEN BILATERAL COOPERATION IN VARIOUS FIELDS - MOHAMAD

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Finland have agreed to strengthen cooperation in several key areas, particularly in the fields of high-technology transfer, satellites and education.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Finland is recognised for its strong expertise and advanced capabilities in all three sectors.

“Finland has good capacity in high technology and satellites. They also have a strong education system at the school level, and there are even two schools in Malaysia - located in Damansara and Cyberjaya -  which have adopted the country’s education template,” he said.

Mohamad said this when met by reporters after holding a bilateral meeting with his Finnish counterpart Elina Valtonen here today ahead of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Oct 26 to 28.

Commenting further, Mohamad said that, although trade relations between Malaysia and Finland remain limited, the two countries share similar views in prioritising global security.

Mohamad said that he also held a meeting today with ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

“In the meeting, I took the opportunity to express my appreciation to him and his officials, including the ASEAN Secretariat, for the support extended to Malaysia during its ASEAN Chairmanship this year.

“There were also several other matters that we discussed, which require further refinement and will be brought up to the heads of state level tomorrow morning.

Mohamad said during the meeting Kao also reiterated his appreciation for Malaysia’s leadership as ASEAN Chair, particularly its role in facilitating the ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand.

The 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits are expected to be one of the bloc’s largest meetings, serving as a key platform to strengthen cooperation and address regional and global challenges in a comprehensive manner.

This year marks the fifth time that Malaysia has assumed the ASEAN Chair since the bloc’s inception in 1967, with previous chairmanships in 2015, 2005, 1997 and 1977.

-- BERNAMA