KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Singapore today reaffirmed their commitment to recognise each other's Covid-19 vaccination certification to facilitate future cross-border travel between both countries.
This was among decisions reached after a bilateral meeting between Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein and his Singaporean counterpart Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in Putrajaya, near here, today.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, both ministers said the operational details of the Reciprocal Recognition of Vaccine Certificate between Malaysia and Singapore will be further deliberated and finalised.
The details included health protocols and application processes involved for entry and exit into Malaysia and Singapore.
"The two ministers had a constructive discussion on their respective national vaccination rollout plans underway in Malaysia and Singapore, and how this could facilitate cross-border travel between in the near future," read the joint statement.
Hishammuddin and Dr Balakrishnan also reaffirmed the commitment by both countries to continue making progress on their respective national vaccination programmes to vaccinate long-term residents, including Malaysians in Singapore and vice versa.
Malaysia and Singapore also remain committed to restoring cross-border travel for other groups in addition to the Reciprocal Green Lane (RGL) and the Periodic Commuting Arrangement (PCA), taking into account the Covid-19 situation in both countries, and ensuring the health and safety of residents of both countries."
The two ministers also discussed the convening of the 10th Leaders' Retreat, to be hosted by Singapore where they agreed to work towards restarting face-to-face bilateral engagements.
They also reviewed bilateral cooperations and looked forward to strengthening ties to stimulate recovery from the effects of the global pandemic.
"Both ministers reaffirmed the excellent and longstanding relations between Malaysia and Singapore.
"They also highlighted the importance of strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation in overcoming common challenges, including the resumption of people-to-people movements, while safeguarding public health and safety of residents in both countries," the statement said.
Wisma Putra in a separate statement had said that Dr Balakrishnan was on a two-day trip to Malaysia, in which, he is scheduled to also call on Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Dr Balakrishnan is also scheduled to hold meetings with Senior International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, Senior Defence Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.