The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a government agency which has been given the mandate and responsibility for conducting Malaysia's foreign relations with other countries. This includes matters related to political relations, economic affairs, security matters, social and cultural promotion. The Ministry is geared towards fulfilling certain definite objectives. These objectives, the most important among others, are, to promote and enhance regional co-operation in Southeast Asia with special emphasis on ASEAN countries; to promote international Islamic solidarity; to enhance the non-aligned movement; and to seek friendly ties with all countries and strengthen existing relations with countries which share similar interests with Malaysia.
Administrative Division
In 1993, the division which consists of three sections namely the Service Section, the General Affairs Section and the Security and Communication Section continued to carry out its duties and responsibilities successfully in supporting other activities in order to meet the overall objectives of the Ministry.
In the same year, the Service Section with the cooperation of Central Agencies was successful in completing its programme to restructure the organisation of the Ministry as required under the New Remuneration System. The Section was also responsible for the opening of three new missions overseas namely, Embassy of Malaysia in Tashkent, Embassy of Malaysia in Budapest and the Consulate General Malaysia in Guangzhou.
The division also supplied Malaysian artifacts and other materials to Malaysian missions abroad which participated in local bazaars and other promotional activities. The Security and Communication Section ensured the security of Government Buildings. It also ensured the smooth flow of communication between the Ministry and its overseas missions.
FINANCE DIVISION
The Finance Division which is responsible for planning, budgetary control and management of allocation of funds has improved the formats on financial reporting by Malaysian missions abroad so as to enhance accountability and avoid wastage. Measures are also undertaken to strengthen and improve the operation of the Stores and Supply Section.
Concerted efforts and close coordination among the accounts, budget, stores and supply sections on the need to observe established procedures and financial regulations have greatly in creased the awareness of Malaysian missions abroad on public accountability and reduced the possibility of unauthorised or over expenditure.
CONSULAR SECTION
The role of the Consular Section is to attend to the welfare and interests of Malaysian citizens overseas and to assist foreign missions in Malaysia regarding consular matters.
In 1993, Consular Section made further improvement in identifying and updating its activities in order to enhance the Ministry's performance and effectiveness. Records and information were computerised, including figures of foreign nationals under detention, application for passports and trust fund.
Consular Section is in the process of identifying several of its services which are provided free with a view to impose charges on these services in line with Government directive.
EXTERNAL INFORMATION DIVISION
The External Information Division undertakes Malaysia's information work abroad. The main function of the division is to disseminate information on Malaysia with a view to promote a better understanding of the country, its institutions, policies and programmes. In pursuing this objectives the division has taken the task of promoting cultural and religious ties and seek to dispel misconceptions and misinterpretation of Malaysia that might affect the climate for investment and trade.
Press releases for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are issued by the division. Besides arranging press conferences and assisting foreign journalists and scholars visiting Malaysia, the division also arranges interviews for them with Malaysian Government leaders and senior government officials.
In cooperation with BERNAMA, the division also distributes daily press telegrams to all the Malaysian embas sies and student centres. In addition, the division prepares special press telegrams for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister during their visits abroad, to update them with developments at home.
A regular collection of significant foreign press comments on Malaysia is published by the division for restricted circulation among government leaders. The division issues background papers and attends to requests from Malaysian missions abroad on political, social and cultural matters.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS AND MULTILATERAL ECONOMICS DIVISION
The main responsibility of the International Organisations and Multilateral Economics Division is to help safeguard and promote Malaysia's international political and economic interests.
For 1993, the division had played an active role in promoting Malaysia's policies concerning, among others, G 15, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), East-Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC), environmental issues, commodities issues and various other issues that come under the United Nations Organisation (UN), the Non Aligned Movement (NAM), the Group of 77 and the Commonwealth.
In 1993, Malaysia began its three-year term as a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Malaysia also participated actively in the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna in June, 1993 as well as in the Preparatory meetings held in Geneva and in the Regional Preparatory Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand held in the same year.
In 1993, Malaysia also participated in some of the deliberations of the Security Council as on the issue of Bosnia Herzegovina. On this issue, Malaysia played a prominent role in the Contact Group of the Organisation of Islamic countries based in New York in the search for a peaceful settlement of the Bosnia-Herzegovina issue.
In 1993, Malaysia took steps to implement the decisions of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit held in Jakarta in 1992. Malaysia participated in the meeting of the NAM Standing Ministerial Committee for Economic Cooperation held in Bali from 10- 13 May 1993, to relaunch the North-South Dialogue and to strengthen South South Cooperation.
Malaysia attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Limassol, Cyprus from 21 -25 October 1993. The Malaysian delegation was led by the Prime Minister. At the meeting, Malaysia participated actively on issues of importance to Malaysia and the Common wealth and also contributed towards efforts in the strengthening of Commonwealth developmental cooperation.
Malaysia also participated in the Commonwealth Observer Mission to South Africa (COMSA) to encourage the peace process in South Africa and to facilitate the country's move towards a democratic, non-racial and united South Africa.
Malaysia was appointed Chairman of the meeting of the Commonwealth Steering Committee of Senior Officials (SCOSO), held in London in April 1993, which was established to provide broad operational policy and resource allocation guidance and strategic direction to the work of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku paid an official visit to Malaysia in June, 1993 to consult on organisational and substantive issues in preparation for the Limassol CHOGM.
The division was actively engaged in evolving the EAEC (East Asia Economic Caucus). An ASEAN consensus was achieved at the Singapore ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July 1993 for the implementation of the EAEC as "a caucus within APEC". This consensus was reconfirmed by the Singapore ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting in October 1993.
Malaysia participated actively in the first substantive session of the UNCSD held in New York in June 1993. The meeting succeeded in bringing back the commitment of the world community to work together towards sustainable development through the implementation of Agenda 21, the Rio Principles, and the Non-Legally Binding Principles on Forests.
The main focus of Malaysia's involvement in the GEF (Global Environment Facility) is to advance the case for a universalised and transparent GEF that would not only provide adequate resources needed by developing countries in meeting their sustainable development needs. The burden of attaining sustainability is not to be shouldered by developing countries alone. The developed countries must themselves contribute more.
The Foreign Ministry was actively engaged in countering the various campaigns by NGOs against the importation and use of tropical timber and timber products. This include moves by some to impose eco-labelling or certification requirement on tropical timber.
The division also facilitated Malaysia's participation in the Geneva Meeting on the role of Women in Development; Meetings of UNEP, FAO, UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs, and IMO. It was also involved in the issue of managing the Straits of Malacca and in particular the effort towards holding an international conference on the Straits.
On the environment and development issue, the division has played a key role in facilitating Malaysia's election to the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), during the ECOSOC Meeting held on 16 February 1993, in New York. Subsequently, at the Resumed Organisational Session of ECOSOC held in New York on 29 April 1993, Malaysia was re-elected by acclamation to the CSD for the term 1 January 1994 to 31 December 1996.
PROTOCOL DIVISION
The basic function of this division is to look after the welfare of the diplomatic community resident in Malaysia; processing of diplomatic privileges, facilities and immunities in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and as regulated from time to time by local legislation and procedures. Privileges, immunities and facilities of the UN Offices and other Specialised Agencies and those of their officers are also being looked after by the division.
On the ceremonial front, the division deals with official visits of Foreign Heads of State and Government and assists the Ministry in the planning of itineraries for visiting Ministers, foreign dignitaries and special envoys. It is responsible for the arrangement in connection with State visits of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to foreign countries and coordinates with other ministries and divisions in the preparation of these activities.
The division is responsible for the scrutiny of credentials of Foreign Heads of Missions and arranges their audience with His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. It also prepares Letter of Credence of Malaysian High Commissioners/Ambassadors, Letters of Appointment of Malaysian Consuls and the issuance of exequaturs to their foreign counterparts on their assignment to Malaysia.
The division takes care of the protocol arrangement for the Diplomatic corps at state and official functions. It arranges appointments for the Heads of Mission to call on the Federal Ministers. The division similarly arranges appointments for the Heads of the Mission individually or in a group to have audiences with State Rulers and Governors, Menteri Besar and Chief Ministers. The division organises visits for the Diplomatic Corps to establishments and places of economic importance in the capital as well as in the states such as the economic corridors and tourist sites.
THE LEGAL DIVISION
The Legal Division was established in January 1993. Its primary function is the provision of legal advice to the Ministry and Malaysian Missions abroad on the legal aspects of foreign policy issues as well as other legal problems referred to it.
In its advisory capacity, the functions of the Legal Division include representing the Government of Malaysia in many bilateral and multilateral meetings and negotiations such as the Sixth Commit tee of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Legal Division is also responsible for the maintenance of a Depository for all treaties and agreements concluded between Malaysia and other countries. The division also ensures that the agreements are registered with the United Nations Secretariat in compliance with Article 102 of the United Nations Charter.
DEPARTMENT OF POLICY PLANNING
The main function of the Department of Policy Planning is to provide forward planning capability to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This task involves constant monitoring and analysis of issues and changes in the political and strategic environment particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, and to recommend new policy approaches. For 1993, the department was also preoccupied with the formulation of Malaysia's policy responses to the developments in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In addition to the normal planning activities, the department is also responsible for the conduct of formal consultations/negotiations with neighbouring countries to resolve all sovereignty or overlapping claims to Malaysian islands or maritime areas. In the course of 1993, the division was involved in several formal consultations with Singapore to resolve the issues of Pulau Batu Puteh and with Indonesia with regard to Pulau Sipadan and Pulau Ligitan.
ASEAN COOPERATION
ASEAN is a regional grouping of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. ASEAN's main objective is to promote the economic, social and cultural development of the region through cooperative programmes; to safeguard the political and economic stability of the region and to serve as a forum for the resolution of inter-regional differences.
ASEAN issued the ASEAN Declaration on the South China Sea as part of its commitment to resolve regional disputes peacefully. The first meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials and their counterparts from the Dialogue Partners was held in May, 1993. The SOM PMC agreed to hold consultations at least once a year.
In the area of economic cooperation, an important development was the launching of the CEPT Scheme for AFTA in January 1993. The formation of the ASEAN Consultative Committee on Standards and Quality (ACCSQ) in 1993 is to look after the harmonisation of product standards, and the testing and accreditation of laboratories, among others. A three-stage programme for the harmonisation of ASEAN tariff nomenclature was also agreed.
The ASEAN Women's Programme reached a milestone with the adoption of the Guidelines to Operationalise the Declaration on the Advancement of Women in ASEAN. Efforts to curb drug abuse and trafficking has also been intensified through international collaboration between ASEAN and non member countries.
The ASEAN Foreign Ministers also agreed to hold the First ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in Bangkok in 1994 to promote consultations on regional, political and security issues. China, Laos, PNG, Russia, Vietnam and ASEAN's Dialogue Partners will be invited to the ARF.
1993 also saw the signing of a new ASEAN Canada Economic Cooperation Agreement which will be in force for five years and will further enhance ASEAN-Canada cooperative relations in the fields of science and technology, environment, agriculture and forestry, telecommunications, human resource development and trade and investment. The new Agreement also places greater emphasis on the private sector role in enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two regions especially in promoting trade and investment activities.
Malaysia, as coordinator for the ASEAN dialogue relations with the Republic of Korea held its First Dialogue Meeting in May, 1993 in Kuching.
Malaysia hosted the Seventh Meeting of the ASEAN Conference on Civil Service Matters in Kuala Lumpur on 4-8 October, 1993. The theme of the Conference was "Challenges for Innovation in the Civil Services".
In 1993, the restructured ASEAN Secretariat became operational. Staffing of the Secretariat, which has moved from national nomination to open recruitment was completed during 1993. The Secretariat is now manned by 24 professional staff with another six being recruited to carry out the Secretariat's expanded set of responsibilities.
GLOBAL ECONOMIC COOPERATION
The Fourth Meeting of the Summit Level Group for South-South Consultation and Cooperation, known as the Group of 15, was held in New Delhi, India from 28-30 March 1994. The Fourth Summit reaffirmed the Group's determination to pursue the twin objectives of strengthening South-South Cooperation and promoting the South's productive partnership with the North on issues of mutual benefit and common concern. For Malaysia, South-South Cooperation is a necessary and viable strategy for greater collective self reliance for national, regional and global development and is a major tool for the promotion of growth and accelerated development.
Since the First Summit held in Kuala Lumpur from 1 - 3 June 1989, Malaysia, on its part, has implemented two projects, namely the Bilateral and Multilateral Payments Arrangements to promote trade; and the establishment of the South Investment, Trade and Technology Data Exchange Centre (SITT DEC). The SITTDEC constitutes an important milestone in the G- 15 efforts to enable the South to know more about the south particularly on matters relating to trade, investment, technology and other forms of economic activities. In 1993, twenty-two countries signed payments arrangements with Malaysia, and fourteen countries have signed the Charter on the establishment of SITTDEC making them members of the Centre.
Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP)
The Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (ITCP) has become more significant in enhancing its relations with developing countries in the con text of South-South Cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Economic Planning Unit or the Prime Minister's Department are jointly coordinating the MTCP. The MTCP, now in its thirteenth year of operation, has offered training assistance to not less than 83 developing countries.
RELATIONS WITH THE SOUTHEAST ASIAN COUNTRIES
Malaysia's close relations with her ASEAN neighbours were further strengthened with the establishment of the Joint Commission with the Philippines which held its First Meeting in Manila in December, 1993. Earlier, the Second Malaysia-lndonesia Joint Commission Meeting was held in Jakarta in February, 1993 while the Sixth Malaysia-Thailand Joint Commission took place in Bangkok in July, 1993. Through these Joint Commission Meetings, bilateral issues of mutual interest were discussed paving the way to better bilateral cooperation and understanding between Malaysia and the countries concerned.
In 1993, serious efforts were made to promote relations and cooperation between Malaysia and her neighbours through the exchange of high-level visits. The visits to Malaysia was made by the President of the Philippines in January 1993, President of Indonesia in July 1993 and Prime Minister of Thailand in January, 1993. Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir reciprocated this with his own official to Thailand in August 1993. He also paid an official visit to Brunei Darussalam in early August, 1993. These visits provided opportunity for the leaders to discuss bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern.
Malaysia's relations with her Indochinese neighbours have improved considerably over the last few years. The signing of the Paris Agreements for the Comprehensive Political Settlement in Cambodia in October 1991 and the for mation of a new government in Cam bodia in September 1993 has brought about an encouraging climate for long term peace, stability and economic development in Cambodia. It has also brought about positive effects on the other two Indochinese countries. This opens up the way for the evolution of mutually beneficial relations between Malaysia and the Indochinese countries. Vietnam and Laos have already recognised the need for them to be in the mainstream of activities in South east Asia and thus have begun to pursue active bilateral relations with each ASEAN country, have ratified the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia and have been accepted as observers at ASEAN ministerial meetings.
The exchanges of high level visits between Malaysia and the Indochinese countries have helped to consolidate bilateral ties and economic cooperation and provided the impetus for further enhancement of relations. The positive trend evolving in the relationship between Malaysia and the non-ASEAN countries of Southeast Asia can help to contribute tremendously to regional peace and stability. This would help consolidate Southeast Asia into a more stable, peaceful and economically dynamic region.
RELATIONS WITH EAST ASIA
Bilateral relations between Malaysia and the East Asian countries continued to make good progress throughout 1993.
With China, the existing good relations reached a new high following the second successful official visit of the Prime Minister to China from 13 - 22 June 1993. The visit paved the way for greater bilateral cooperation in many fields as well as a new level of under standing and friendship between Malaysia and China. It also resulted in the establishment of the first Malaysian Consulate General in Guangzhou in Southern China in October with the aim to provide better consular facilities for both the Malaysian and Chinese people. To keep up the rapid momentum of bilateral relations, Chairman of the National People's Congress (Chinese Parliament), Qiao Shi, visited Malaysia as well as other ASEAN countries in July 1993. His visit further enhanced bilateral relations and also signalled the importance of the ASEAN region to China.
Close cooperation with Japan continued with Japan's support of the Look East Policy programme and other forms of assistance such as concessionary Yen Loans and Cultural Grant Aid to Malaysia. In Addition to the substantive trade and economic links with Japan, bilateral relations were also continually boosted by the frequent exchanges of visits at all levels between both countries.
Malaysia's relations with South Korea also proceeded smoothly. The continued South Korean support of the Look East Policy programme and cooperation in other fields have further strengthened relations. Relations with North Korea were also enchanced following the official visit of the Deputy Prime Minister in October, 1993.
RELATIONS WITH SOUTH ASIA
Bilateral Relations between Malaysia and the South Asian countries, particularly Bangladesh, India and Pakistan, were further enhanced following the visit of Prime Minister, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, to these countries last year. With the economic liberalisation policies pursued by these countries, bilateral trade with Malaysia has increased, with prospects of bilateral cooperation in the areas of telecommunication, transportation, infrastructure development, tourism and air services.
The South Asian countries continue to serve as viable markets for Malaysian exports such as palm oil, rubber, timber, petroleum products and manufactured goods. Efforts to further promote external trade with South Asia will enhance Malaysia's trade with the countries of Central Asia.
Joint Commission Meetings (JCM) with India as well as with Bangladesh have been established. The JCM with Pakistan which was established in 1985 is being reactivated. These meetings have enhanced bilateral relations with the countries concerned particularly in trade and economic matters. In the context of strengthening South-South Cooperation, Malaysia continues to offer technical assistance to all South Asian countries under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP).
Both Pakistan and India have continued to reserve quotas for Malaysian Government sponsored students in medicine and science in their respective institutions of higher learning. Both these countries have been able to accommodate private Malaysians pursuing their studies, especially in the field of medicine. Financial assistance is also available under the Indian Government Technical and Economic Cooperation Scheme and the Technical Cooperation Scheme of the Colombo Plan.
The recruitment of workers from the South Asian countries to cater for Malaysia's industrial and plantation sectors' needs, has become an important area of joint cooperation.
RELATIONS WITH WEST ASIA
During the period under review, Malaysia's relations with countries in West Asia saw further consolidation. The importance that Malaysia attached to the enhancement of the bilateral cooperation with Islamic countries of the region was reflected in its efforts to undertake visits to these countries at both ministerial and official levels. Likewise, there were important visits from West Asian countries to Malaysia which afforded the opportunity for exchanges of views on the political, economic, trade and cultural fields.
Politically, Malaysia's attention focussed on the Peace Process concerning the Arab-Israeli conflict. Malaysia welcomed the Palestinian-Israeli mutual recognition and agreement on Palestinian self-rule. As a demonstration of its support, Malaysia had made a modest financial contribution of US$5 million to the Palestine National Council Authority to assist the Palestinians in their new endeavour of national reconstruction and development efforts.
In 1993, Malaysia continued to receive participants from Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Egypt under its Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). This programme has been well received by the countries concerned in line with the spirit of South South Cooperation.
RELATIONS WITH THE SOUTH PACIFIC COUNTRIES
Malaysia enjoyed generally close ties with all the South Pacific countries in 1993. This was in spite of frictions in her relationship with Australia towards the end of the year. Malaysia's expanding relations with these nations was reflected in the increased level of visits and enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, education, and cooperation in defence and training with some of these states during the period.
Malaysia's ties with Canberra, in particular, saw some tension at the end of 1993. Efforts were undertaken by both sides to ensure that the overall bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Australia were not seriously affected. Hence the pace of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Canberra particularly under the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) and (IADS) frameworks continued unimpeded.
In the case of ties with New Zealand, the absence of irritants in the relationship and Wellington's policy of 'Asia 2000' were positive factors that helped to further reinforce friendship between New Zealand and Malaysia. Malaysia's expanded scope of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, technical assistance, training and education with Wellington in 1993 was illustrative of this fact.
The year also witnessed Malaysia's ties with the Pacific Island nations of Fiji, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Tonga further consolidated. Ties with Fiji in particular, were enhanced by the visit to Malaysia of Deputy Prime Minister, Filipe Bole, in conjunction with the "Fiji Week" celebration and the holding of the Second Malaysia-Fiji Senior Officials Bilateral Meeting in Kuala Lumpur in July 1993. The Meeting provided officials from both sides with the opportunity to discuss and identify common areas of cooperation for follow-up action.
Malaysia's ties with Papua New Guinea were similarly strengthened when Prime Minister, Paias Wingti, made a two-day unofficial visit to Malaysia at the beginning of the year and called on Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Malaysia subsequently signed the Avoidance of Double Taxation Agreement and two MOUs on the promotion of trade, investment and commercial relations with PNG following Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz's visit to Port Moresby in June.
Relations with the Kingdom of Tonga also experienced further consolidation. The King of Tonga made a private visit to Sarawak in September. This was followed by the unofficial visit of the Prime Minister of Tonga, Baron Vaea, to Kuching in December. On his way to Sarawak, Baron Vaea called on the Prime Minister to discuss bilateral cooperation. Malaysia also acceded to Tonga's request to open a resident diplomatic mission in Kuala Lumpur, the first in the region, in the same year. Relations with the small Pacific island nations of Federated States of Micronesia (FMS) and the Republic of Marshall Islands also received significant boost when both states decided to accredit their missions in Japan and China respectively to Malaysia.
As in the previous years, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the other smaller Pacific Island states of Niue, Cook Islands and Tonga continued to receive assistance from Malaysia under the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). This augurs well for the continued enhancement of Malaysia's bilateral ties with these countries in line with our "South-South" orientation. The increasing number of visits to Malaysia from countries in the South Pacific also indicate their desire to forge closer ties with Malaysia.
RELATIONS WITH EUROPE
Relations between Malaysia and the European countries continued on a friendly and mutually beneficial level. There was an increased in interaction with Central and Eastern Europe where many of those countries were in the process of reform and transition to wards a free market economy.
Malaysia constantly followed developments in the European continent and maintained a continuing dialogue with European countries on a multitude of international political and economic issues. Malaysia continued to actively support and contributed towards inter national efforts for a peaceful settlement of the on going conflict in Bosnia Herzegovina. Although European countries namely those in the European Union continued to face an economic slowdown, they remained as an important markets to Malaysia. In 1993, the European Union was Malaysia's third largest trading partner.
As a result of the expansion in relations with countries in Central and Eastern Europe, Malaysia in 1993 established diplomatic missions in Budapest, Hungary and in Tashkent, Uzbekistan while Albania established a resident mission in Kuala Lumpur. Apart from that, Malaysia signed a number of agreements with several Eastern European countries including Partial Visa Abolition Agreements with Hungary and Albania as well as Investment Guarantee Agreements with Hungary and Poland.
There were also frequent exchanges of visit between Malaysian and European leaders. Their Majesties, the Yang di Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong made a State Visit to the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister of Malaysia made official visits to Albania, Malta and Uzbekistan while the Deputy Prime Minister visited Finland and France. European leaders who made official visits to Malaysia included President of Hungary, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Prime Minister of Ireland, Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia. Those visits contributed towards strengthening the cooperation and friendship between Malaysia and the countries of Europe.
RELATIONS WITH AFRICA, SOUTH OF THE SAHARA
A significant development in Malaysia's relations and cooperation with the countries in Sub-Sahara Africa in 1993 was the establishment of diplomatic relations with South Africa on 8 November, 1993. This decision was in line with the recommendation of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Harare in October, 1991, in response to the call made by the ANC, following the progress made in the transition towards the establishment of a democratic and non-racial South Africa.
The main thrust of Malaysia's bilateral relations with the countries in Sub-Sahara region was on South-South Cooperation. As of the end of 1993, Z1 countries in the Sub-Sahara region benefited from the Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) with 66 participants trained in several fields. The period under review saw several ministerial and official visits from the region to Malaysia.
Trade between Malaysia and the countries in Sub-Sahara Africa also showed significant increase in 1993. The region offers new potential markets for Malaysian manufactured products and raw materials as well as for reverse investment for the Malaysian private sector. The focus of the Malaysian private sector has been in housing and the tourism industry.
Malaysia also continued its modest contribution towards the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. This was reflected in Malaysia's continued participation in the UN peace keeping forces in Somalia, Angola, Mozambique and Liberia.
RELATIONS WITH AMERICA
The American Division handles matters pertaining to political and economic bilateral relations between Malaysia and 46 countries throughout the American continent - North America, Latin America, Central America, South America and the Caribbean countries.
Trade and economic cooperation between Malaysia and these countries increased considerably in recent years especially after the Prime Minister visited several Caribbean and the Latin American Countries in 1990 and 1991. To further enhance the existing bilateral relations, Joint Committees have been set up between Malaysia, Venezuela, Chile and Argentina. In addition, several MoU on cooperation in the fields of trade and investment, technical, defence, air transportation and service, information and telecommunications were signed between Malaysia and several Latin American and South American countries. With the introduction of air services to Mexico City by MAS and the implementation of the Bilateral Payment Arrangement (BPA), cooperation in the fields of economy and tourism between Malaysia and the relevant countries is expected to improve in future.
1993 witnessed the birth of NAFTA i.e. North America Free Trade Agreement involving United States of America, Canada and Mexico. Generally, countries of Latin America and South America showed a keen interest in establishing closer regional cooperation amongst them through existing regional organisations.
1993 also witnessed significant developments in bilateral relations between Malaysia and countries in the American Continent. Several prominent figures from these countries visited Malaysia during the year. Apart from trade visits by delegation from countries known to be traditional trading partners like Canada and USA, Malaysia was also visited by Heads of States, President and ministers from Argentina, Peru, Venezuela, Brazil, Chile and Mexico in 1993. For the first time ever, delegations from smaller countries in the American Continent like Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Uruguay and Paraguay visited Malaysia the same year.
1993 opened a new and more significant chapter in the relationship between Malaysia and the United States, one of the country's major trading partners and source of foreign investment.
RELATIONS WITH THE ORGANISATION OF ISLAMIC CONFERENCE (OIC)
During the period under review, Malaysia's role in the OIC, remained strong and active. Malaysia took a proactive role on issues affecting the solidarity and advancement of Islam and the economic standing of the Ummah. This was reflected in Malaysia's active participation in the 21st Islamic Conference of Foreign Minister's held in Karachi, Pakistan in April 1993. Malaysia reaffirmed its support and commitments to all activities of the OIC and its efforts towards the promotion of unity, solidarity and the well being of the Islamic World.
In 1993, the plight of the Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina continued to be the focus of the OIC. Malaysia, as one of the members of the OIC contact group for Bosnia-Herzegovina, actively participated in the two Extraordinary Sessions of OIC Foreign Ministers in Islamabad and Geneva. These sessions contributed positively towards diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in support of the Bosnian Muslims. As a result of these meetings, the United Nations Security Council invited OIC member countries to serve under United Nations Protection Force (UN PROFOR) in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Malaysia was one of the first countries to respond to the UN offer.
Together with the other OIC countries, Malaysia has also been steadfast in calling on the Western countries and the United Nations to take decisive action to stop Serb aggression in Bosnia-Herzegovina.