KL, Hanoi to fight border crimes

KL, Hanoi to fight border crimes

MALAYSIA: Malaysia and Vietnam vowed to strengthen cooperation on combating transnational crime and signed agreements on education, information technology and trade on Wednesday during a visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

Khai held talks with Malaysian counterpart Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in the administrative capital, Putrajaya, before the leaders witnessed the signing of three documents aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and trade.

Describing the talks as "fruitful," Abdullah said he and Khai discussed ways their countries could improve cooperation to fight cross-border crime such as money laundering and drug trafficking, and expanding trade in the oil and gas industry.

He said they didn't discuss Vietnam's recent decision to send sightseers aboard a navy vessel to the disputed Spratly Islands, which are claimed wholly or in part by six countries, including Malaysia.

Khai, accompanied by five ministers, nine vice ministers, senior officials and business leaders, also had an audience with Malaysia's king, and addressed a forum of Malaysian and Vietnamese business leaders. --AP