Thursday, September 14, 2017

PRIME MINISTERS THERESA MAY AND NAJIB TUN RAZAK REAFFIRM STRONG UK-MALAYSIA TIES AT DOWNING STREET

14th September 2017
It was a pleasure to meet Prime Minister Theresa May today. We reaffirmed the strong ties between Malaysia and the United Kingdom, which pre-dated and have continued since our independence 60 years ago.
In addition to our shared values and history, the UK is seeking a new relationship with friends and partners around the world as it leaves the European Union. Malaysia is well positioned to add value, strategically located at the heart of Southeast Asia, with strong links to the Muslim world and China.
As an outward-looking trading nation, which the World Bank recently said is facing the future “from a position of strength”, Malaysia welcomes the opportunity to have a closer economic partnership with the UK. I assured Prime Minister May that Malaysia will be happy to discuss setting up a trade arrangement between our two countries as soon as possible. We know that trade between our countries will benefit our economies and our peoples.

The UK and Malaysia stand united on the need to fight terrorism and violent extremism. We mourn the deaths of those who have died in the recent appalling attacks in the UK. Malaysia is ready to share its expertise and experience in combating the threat from those who blaspheme the name of Islam by falsely claiming that their atrocities are Islamic.

Prime Minister May and I also discussed the humanitarian catastrophe facing the Rohingya in Myanmar, and we agreed that the international community must come together to find a solution to bring to an end a crisis that has shocked both the region and the world.

Britain and Malaysia are old partners. My discussions with Prime Minister May confirmed the depth of our friendship, and we look forward to our two countries working together to forge a prosperous and secure future for our peoples.

DATO’ SRI NAJIB TUN RAZAK,
PRIME MINISTER OF MALAYSIA