KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has proposed to Australia to work on a Mutual Recognition of Vaccination Certification involving both nations.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said this was crucial to facilitate cross-border travel and recovery for both nations.
"This is also crucial for over 19,000 Malaysian students who are waiting to return to Australia to resume their studies," he said in a statement, today.
The statement was issued following a virtual bilateral meeting between Hishammuddin and Australian Foreign Affairs and Women Minister Marise Payne.
"In light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, we also had a constructive discussion on our respective national vaccination rollout plans which are currently underway.
"I proposed to Minister Payne for Malaysia and Australia to work on a Mutual Recognition of Vaccination Certification."
During their virtual meeting, both ministers also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern such as developments in Myanmar.
"Seriously concerned over the use of lethal weapons by the security forces resulting in the rising number of fatalities and arrests of civilians, I shared Malaysia's call on all parties to refrain from instigating further violence, and for all sides to immediately exercise the utmost restraint and flexibility," said Hishammuddin.
He said all parties concerned must seek a peaceful solution and pursue constructive dialogue, reconciliation, and the return to normalcy urgently following the will and interests of the people of Myanmar and for the greater peace, security and stability of the region.
"Malaysia will continue to undertake constructive engagements with all parties with a view to contributing to a peaceful resolution on this matter", he said.
He added that, as country coordinator for Asean-Australia relations, he also apprised Payne of the bloc's latest effort to convene a regional leaders' meeting on Myanmar.
Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said both nations have also reaffirmed their commitment to the Plan Of Action involving the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
The CSP, which elevated the two nations' bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, was inked on Jan 27 during the inaugural Malaysia-Australia Annual Leaders' meeting.
"We reaffirmed our commitment to effectively implement the Plan of Action which charts our concrete initiatives under the three main pillars namely, economic prosperity; society and technology; as well as defence cooperation and regional security," said Hishammuddin.
Following the bilateral virtual meeting, Brunei joined the two nations in a trilateral virtual meeting on mental health.
The meeting saw the participation of Brunei's Foreign Affairs Minister II Datuk Seri Erywan Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Mohd Yusof, who together with Hishammuddin and Payne discussed mental health initiatives that could be undertaken together between Asean and Australia.
Mental health features as one of Brunei Darussalam's main priorities as Asean Chair in 2021.
"Minister Payne, Minister Erywan and I recognised the increasing prevalence of mental health issues in the region, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impact it will have on our societies in the long-term if it continues to remain unaddressed," said Hishammuddin.
He said during the discussion, the ministers highlighted challenges faced by countries in the region and identified opportunities for further cooperation and collaboration on mental health between Malaysia, Brunei, Australia, and Asean as a region.
"To promote regional cooperation on mental health, Malaysia has agreed to co-sponsor a Leaders' Statement on Mental Health Cooperation together with Brunei Darussalam at the 16th East Asia Summit later this year."
Hishammuddin said the trilateral meeting paves the way for more interactive and fruitful engagements on mental health and intensified cooperation to address these issues within existing Asean mechanisms.