PUTRAJAYA: The United States wants a productive relationship with Malaysia, which it regards as a progressive and moderate Islamic nation, and is hoping that Malaysia can play a role in engaging other countries in inter-faith dialogues.

This was the message relayed to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak by the US Deputy Secretary of State James B. Steinberg when the two met Monday morning.

"The message from the Obama administration is that they want to have a productive relationship with Malaysia, which they regard as a model nation.

"The US Government also noted that we are a progressive and moderate nation in the way we practise Islam and hoped that we can play a part in engaging other countries in the question of greater dialogue between different faiths," Najib told reporters Monday when asked about his meeting with Steinberg.

The Prime Minister also said that Steinberg had raised several issues which were of concern to the United States, including the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction, human trafficking, terrorism, and trade and investment.

"We also discussed developments in Afghanistan, and the United States has asked that Malaysia play its part in resolving issues such as Iran and North Korea," he said.

In KUALA LUMPUR later Monday, Steinberg said that the United States had expressed its appreciation over the Malaysian Government's strong stand in response to North Korea's provocative missile and nuclear tests.

"We expressed appreciation for the fact that the Government here has made very clear its condemnation of the actions of North Korea, and its support for Resolution 1874 of the UN Security Council on nuclear non-profileration," he told a press conference.

"We discussed some of the practical aspects of the enforcement of the resolution. I think we have a good partner here working on those issues," said Steinberg, who was on a two-day working visit to Malaysia.

Steinberg said Malaysia could be a good partner for the United States in view of its crucial role in key institutions including Asean, the Organisation of Islamic Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement.

To a question on whether the United States would resume Free Trade Agreement talks with Malaysia, Steinberg said right now, the US administration was reviewing its overall approach to bilateral and multilateral agreements to fit into its trade strategy.

"As we are doing so, we'd like to continue dialogue with Malaysia and make some specific decisions about the right format in which to pursue trade," he said.

The Star/Asia News Network