VERBATIM TEXT

13^TH ASEAN-US SUMMIT

OPENING REMARKS BY YAB PRIME MINISTER

His Excellency President Donald J. Trump

Your Majesty, Excellencies,

1. I am deeply honoured to welcome His Excellency President Donald Trump to Kuala Lumpur and to the 13th ASEAN- United States Summit, we say here, Welcome, Salamat Datang.

2. Grounded in our shared aspirations for peace and prosperity, ASEAN–United States relations have deepened into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

3. The vibrant, tremendous economies of the United States and Southeast Asia have the potential to create a golden age for all our nations. Two-way trade reached a record of $453 billion last year, supporting jobs and businesses across the United States and ASEAN.

4. And today, we’ll make the promise of our relationship ever greater. We’ll adopt the ASEAN–US Joint Vision Statement to promote a stronger, safer, and more prosperous ASEAN and America. This reflects our will and commitment to turn cooperation into concrete outcomes with tangible benefits for ASEAN and the United States.

Your Majesty, Mr. President, Excellencies,

5. We have just witnessed the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Accords between Cambodia and Thailand. It is undoubtedly an achievement that reflects the strong political will of both countries’ leaders and people. Mr. President, ASEAN holds in high regard your vital role in facilitating this agreement.

6. On Gaza, we welcome your comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict. It has given the world a glimmer of hope that even in the most intractable conflicts, diplomacy and determination can prevail.

7. And we trust that, with your leadership, Mr. President, we’ll achieve a just and durable peace.

8. Thank you. And now, Mr. President, I invite you to deliver your opening remarks.