Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Malaysian Foreign Minister Dato’ Seri Mohamad Hasan at the Signing of a MOU Concerning Strategic Civil Nuclear Cooperation

MODERATOR:  Please rise for the arrival of the Honorable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia; and the Honorable Marco Rubio, United States Secretary of State.  Please be seated.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen, on the occasion of the working visit of the Honorable Secretary Marco Rubio to Malaysia, the governments of Malaysia and the United States of America will be signing a memorandum of understanding concerning strategic civil nuclear cooperation.  Before we proceed with the signing ceremony, I first have the honor to invite the Honorable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan to deliver his remarks.

FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMAD:  (In Malay.) 

Excellency, Secretary of State Rubio, thank you for being here.  I know it was a very long flight for you.  You had to refuel twice to come to Kuala Lumpur.  That is how far is Malaysia.  Right now, everything is very close through (inaudible). 

Secretary, let me wish you a warm welcome to Malaysia.  We are delighted that you have chosen Malaysia as your first stop in the region.  This is your first stop in Asia, yes?  Your presence here truly highlights the longstanding relations between our two countries. 

Today marks a significant milestone in the signing of our memorandum of understanding on strategic civil nuclear cooperation.  This MOU represents a crucial step in our shared journey to further strengthen the Malaysia-United States comprehensive partnership. 

For Malaysia, exploring the role of nuclear energy is a key part of our long-term strategy.  It is about ensuring energy security, driving economic growth, and developing our national capacity to harness nuclear energy in a safe, secure, and truly responsible manner.  In the spirit of close bilateral relations between Malaysia and United States, when in your distinguished presence, Mr. Secretary, I am pleased to inform you that Malaysia – of Malaysia readiness to commence negotiation on the 123 Agreement.

Apart from Malaysia commitment to harness nuclear energy in a responsible manner, I wish – I will also wish to take this opportunity to emphasize that Malaysia remains truly committed to its role as a coastal state.  In this regard, I’d like to say that we are actively formulating new regulation to tighten enforcement against illegal ship-to-ship transfer within our waters.  These changes are expected to take effect by the end of this month.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

MODERATOR:  Thank you, Dato’ Seri.  I now have the honor to invite the Honorable Secretary Marco Rubio to deliver his remarks.

SECRETARY RUBIO:  Well, thank you.  Thank you for hosting us and it’s – inviting us here today.  We are very excited about this – signing this memorandum, which I think first and foremost is a signal to the world of how civil nuclear cooperation is something that is available and that is out there.  There are many countries in the world – some are in the headlines lately – who have expressed an interest in civil nuclear programs, and this is an example of how it can be done.  And we’re very grateful to be able to do it with such a close partner.

Obviously much work remains.  We’re anxious to move forward on the negotiations on the 123 Agreement, and this is the next step forward in a country whose future is incredibly bright.  And we’re very honored to be a part of this today.  This is a – this memorandum today is an opportunity to establish not just a robust civil nuclear partnership but one that promotes the highest standards of safety and security and nonproliferation.  Again, an incredible opportunity for your country, an incredible opportunity to strengthen our partnership, an incredible example to the world.

So it’s my honor to be a part of this.  It’s my honor to be able to do this as my first event as Secretary of State in the continent here, in Asia, and I’m glad this was my first visit and I’m glad this was my first event, because I think it’s one that has significance beyond simply your country or the region.  And it’s an honor to be a part of it, so thank you.

FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMAD:  Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

MODERATOR:  Thank you, Honorable Secretary.

FOREIGN MINISTER MOHAMAD:  Take some time, because a long way for you to come here.  (Laughter.)  Don’t rush back, please.  Take the opportunity of your being here to visit few interesting places in Kuala Lumpur especially, then we allow you to go back.  (Laughter.)  (Inaudible.)

MODERATOR:  It is my honor to invite the Honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Honorable Secretary of State to sign the MOU.

(The memorandum of understanding was signed.)

We will now proceed with the exchange of the documents.  (Applause.)

Thank you, excellencies.  And with that, the signing ceremony is concluded.  Thank you.