KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and New Zealand have expressed their commitment to further empower and develop bilateral cooperation, especially in energy transition, trade and investment, education, and defence.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the matter was discussed during a courtesy call by New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters in Putrajaya today.
"We also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, including Malaysia's Asean presidency in 2025.
"I also welcome the official visit of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, to Malaysia in early September.
"Hopefully, the relationship between Malaysia and New Zealand will continue to be strengthened and enhanced for the mutual benefit of both countries," he said in a Facebook post today.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was also present at the meeting.
New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters arrived in Malaysia for a four-day working visit yesterday.
Malaysia and New Zealand established diplomatic relations on Sept 25, 1957, and the ties have remained strong and stable.
Malaysia also consistently welcomes an increasing number of tourists from New Zealand each year, with 18,238 New Zealanders visiting Malaysia in 2022.
Additionally, over 17,000 Malaysians reside in New Zealand.
Malaysia is New Zealand's second-largest trading partner in the Pacific region, with the total trade volume between the two countries reaching RM6.32 billion as of June 2023.
