KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia and Indonesia will work towards aligning their positions in addressing the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
As part of this effort, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim will undertake a special visit to meet with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to discuss the impact of the conflict on regional stability and the global economy, including implications for Malaysia and Indonesia, it said in a statement.
"These latest developments require comprehensive, careful and coordinated discussions between the two countries in order to align positions and strengthen strategic cooperation in responding to the situation," it said.
"In this context, both leaders are expected to intensify diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and ensure the continuity of global trade routes and supply chains that are critical to the well-being of their peoples," it added.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has disrupted energy supplies across the Southeast Asian region, driving up fuel prices and disrupting the supply and manufacture of critical commodities. ■
