Oleh/By		:	DATO' SERI DR. MAHATHIR BIN MOHAMAD 
Tempat/Venue 	: 	SRI PERDANA, KUALA LUMPUR 
Tarikh/Date 	: 	07/11/94 
Tajuk/Title  	: 	THE OFFICIAL DINNER IN HONOUR OF 
			THE HONOURABLE MAXIME CARLOT KORMAN 
			PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC 	
			OF VANUATU 


 
  It is with great pleasure that we welcome you,  Mr. Prime
Minister, and members of your delegation to  Malaysia.  I am
happy that you have been able to see a bit  of  the  country
since arriving in Kuala Lumpur yesterday and I hope that you
will have a pleasant  stay  in  Malaysia.   Your  visit  has
certainly   provided  us  with  the  timely  opportunity  to
reaffirm the close and friendly ties that exist between  our
two countries.
2.   Our discussions this morning  on major issues of common
interest have not only yielded better understanding but also
opened up new  avenues  for  bilateral  cooperation  to  our
mutual benefit.   It is clear  that  we  both  share  common
aspirations to promote the  well-being and prosperity of our
people   whilst  securing  regional  and  global  peace  and
stability.
3.   As members of the Asia-Pacific  community,  Malaysia is
keen to  develop  closer  ties  with  Vanuatu.   Modern  and
sophisticated   communication    system   and    information
technology have made it possible  for us to  accelerate  the
pace of bilateral  interactions,  despite  the  geographical
distance and the vast expanse of the  Pacific that separates
us.   I  am  confident  that,   with  the  support  of  your
government,  the necessary instruments could be concluded to
provide the framework  within  which  bilateral  cooperation
could be further expanded in all fields.
4.   Your Excellency, Malaysia sees an encouraging  prospect
to  enhance  bilateral  trade and economic cooperation.   We
welcome greater exchange  of  visits,  particularly  between
members  of  the  private  sector of both countries.   Where
necessary,  Governmental  support  and  guidance  could   be
extended  to  enable  them  to  pursue  economically  viable
business ventures.  A proper system of networking could also
be  developed  to  ensure  the  success  of  such  ventures.
Malaysia  in  this  regard  looks  forward  to  the proposed
conclusion of an Investment Guarantee Agreement between  the
two countries.
5.    The  Malaysian  Government appreciates the commendable
efforts made by Vanuatu under Your  Excellency's  leadership
to  develop  the country's natural resources, infrastructure
facilities as well as resource-based industries.  I am  glad
that the Malaysian private sector is taking advantage of the
opportunities  available  to  participate  in  some  of  the
projects.  Such participation would go a  long  way  towards
strengthening cooperation between our two countries.
6.   Whilst supporting the role of the private sector in the
development   of   Vanuatu's  natural  resources,  Malaysian
entrepreneurs have been  reminded  to  establish  long  term
economic  collaboration  rather than involving themselves in
ventures aimed at merely short term gains.   I hope  that  a
fair  and  just  treatment  could  be  accorded to Malaysian
entrepreneurs and that Malaysia's participation in Vanuatu's
economic development on a joint-venture basis would continue
to be welcomed in the years ahead.
7.   Malaysia is happy to cooperate with Vanuatu  under  the
Malaysian  Technical  Cooperation  Programme.   I understand
that some 31 officials have undergone  training  at  various
administrative   and  specialist  training  institutions  in
Malaysia  under  the  Programme.     We  welcome   Vanuatu's
continued  participation in the Programme and hope that such
participation will contribute  towards  the  development  of
human resources in the Republic.
8.    As  developing  countries,  both  Malaysia and Vanuatu
share similar  views  on  many  regional  and  international
issues  of  common  concern.    We appreciate the initiative
taken by Vanuatu in the issue of  decolonisation  and    the
support  shown  by  Your  Excellency's  Government  on other
issues affecting the South.  Malaysia will continue to  work
closely  with  Vanuatu  within  the  context  of  Souh-South
cooperation, the Non Aligned Movement, the Commonwealth, the
Asia Development Bank and  ESCAP  with  a  view  to  further
promoting the interests of the developing world.
9.    Mr. Prime Minister,  trade  and economic collaboration
can only thrive within a climate of peace and stability.  As
members of the international  community  our  two  countries
have  the  responsibility,  however modest, to contribute to
the process of developing such a climate.  Vanuatu's  active
role  in  promoting  better  ties with its neighbours in the
Asia Pacific region and its  contribution of troops  to  the
South  Pacific  Peace  Keeping Force to provide security for
the Peace Conference in Bougainville recently bear testimony
to its constructive approach in  the  interest  of  regional
peace and stability.
10.  Malaysia, similarly, is concerned with the preservation
of  peace  and  stability in the South East Asia region.  We
believe in  promoting  dialogue  as  the  primary  means  of
resolving  conflicts  and  in  enhancing confidence building
measures.
11.  At the global level, efforts should  be  made  together
with   other   like-minded  countries  to  evolve  the  most
appropriate response to various challenges and opportunities
brought about by  changes  in  the  political  and  economic
landscape.
12.    Mr.  Prime  Minister,   your visit marks an important
milestone in the relations between our two countries.  It is
my sincere hope that it will usher in a  new,  positive  and
active era in Malaysia-Vanuatu relations.