0Oleh/By : DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD
Tempat/Venue : SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR
Tarikh/Date : 30/07/96
Tajuk/Title : THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF
HIS EXCELLENCY MR FRANZ VRANITZKY ,
CHANCELLOR OF AUSTRIA
1. I would like to extend to Your Excellency, Mrs
Vranitzky and members of your delegation, a very
warm welcome to Malaysia. This high level visit
from Austria is a reflection of the strong and
cordial relationship between our two countries. It
is my hope that this visit, albeit brief, will
enable Malaysia and Austria to further consolidate
the good relationship between our governments and
peoples.
2. I am indeed delighted that Your Excellency's
visit is being made as Austria abserves her
thousandth anniversary on the existence of her
statehood. Such an historic accomplishment inspires
other countries to preserve and safeguard their
unique sovereignty.
3. It is remarkable that Malaysia and Austria,
though belonging to different geographical regions,
should share many things in common. This has helped
to bring our two countries closer together to work
towards mutual benefit. The inaugural Asia Europe
Meeting that was held earlier this year has also
started a process of bringing our two regions
together.
4. In both the Southeast Asian as well as the
European regions, there is a rich diversity of
culture, ethnicity and religion. Our experience of
life in this region has helped develop in us a deep
respect, understanding and appreciation of other
societies. On the basis of this cross cultural
etiquette, I am glad that we have laid a sound
foundation for the development of close cooperation
on political, economic, trade and other matters.
5. Malaysia is strongly committed to the
enhancement of relations with Austria. We also
believe that Austria, given its leadership in
certain areas of technology, can provide vital
inputs towards Malaysia's industrialisation goals.
Austria is also welcome to participate in
infrastructure projects in the buoyant Malaysian and
Southeast Asian growth area. Malaysia is currently
entering a phase that emphasises capital-intensive
and high technology industries and it is of
particular interest to the Malaysian Government that
Austrians avail themselves of the opportunities in
this area.
6. There is also considerable scope to develop the
tourism potential between our two countries. In
recent years more and more Malaysians have become
accustomed to travelling abroad and I can well
understand Austria being one of the popular
destinations in Europe. As a centre of music and
culture your country continues to attract Malaysians
from all walks of life. I note however that we do
not get that many tourists from Austria visiting
Malaysia. It is my hope that there will be a
greater interest on the part of the Austrians to
visit Malaysia. We have touristic locations that
can attract not only senior citizens but others as
well.
7. In Central and Eastern Europe, dramatic
geopolitical developments have taken place.
Malaysia appreciates the leading role that Austria
has played in extending assistance to those
countries making a transition to the market economy
system. Austria's historical familiarity and
natural proximity to countries in the region,
coupled with its well-developed network of
financial, communication and industrial linkages
give it an added advantage. Clearly, Austria's quiet
efforts to ensure political stability and a smooth
economic transformation have contributed to the
steady progress and development of these countries.
Their integration in the world economic system is
also progressing well. These efforts have also
indirectly benefited Malaysia. For instance, our
two-way trade figure reached US$500 million in
1994, of which a significant portion constitutes
transit trade to countries in Central and Eastern
Europe.
8. Austria has emerged as a natural springboard to
the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe.
By the same token, I believe Malaysia with its
strategic geographical advantage, contacts and
familiarity with the markets and countries in
Southeast and East Asia, could complement Austria's
economic objectives in this part of the world. Our
private sectors can surely do good business with one
another as well as cooperate in third countries.
9. Malaysia, along with her ASEAN partners is
inspired by the development along the Danube. We
have now initiated the ASEAN -Mekong Development
Forum. Both the Danube and Mekong are significant
waterways of our respective regions. Austria's
experience in regional co-operation through the
Danube could be a relevant model for ASEAN's Mekong
development plan.
10. The Dayton peace process has raised hope among
the Bosnians that they may be able to rebuild their
war-torn country. It is the first step in their
long journey towards nation building. In this
respect, Malaysia remains committed to assisting
Bosnia-Herzegovina in their reconstruction efforts.
We hope to share our knowledge and experience of
building a harmonious multi-racial and multi-
religious society with Bosnia-Herzegovina. I trust
that what Malaysia could do from afar, Austria could
do better because of her geographical proximity.
11. Let me conclude by saying that Malaysia and
Austria have sound bilateral relations which could
be further developed and intensified. We possess
tremendous complementary potential, particularly as
economic gateways to our respective regions. Joint
harmonisation and realisation of that potential
would serve as a solid basis for enhancing our
cooperation for mutual benefit.
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