By NNN-Bernama,
Kuala Lumpur : The United States, which will see a new administration in January, next year, and Malaysia can realise new potentials in their bilateral relationshi, says US Ambassador to Malaysia James Keith.
Speaking to reporters after John McCain conceded the US presidential race to Barack Obama here Wednesday, Keith said he thought there would be “a fresh start and a new beginning” in bilateral relations in many respects because there was going to be a new administration in Washington.
He added that this was because it was the first time in a long time in the history of the US that a sitting president or vice-president was not running for the presidency and the American people too, were so eager for change.
“I think under those circumstances, we can talk about real change in the relationships between the two countries … I hope that we would be able to advance our trade relationships. I hope that when the new administration comes in January, there will be steps necessary to get the global economy moving,” he told reporters at the “US Election Watch in Kuala Lumpur” event at a hotel here.
Obama, a Democrat, triumphed over Republican McCain to become the first black US president to succeed the increasingly unpopular George W. Bush, and take office on Jan 20, next year.
Keith also said the US would be looking for opportunities with Malaysia to build on the common grounds that existed between the countries on many areas such as economic and security issues.
“We have got tremendous people-to-people exchanges … I think we will be looking for opportunities to draw more Malaysians to the US … increase the number of visits both ways and increase the dialogue between America and Malaysia in many different spheres,” he said.
Keith added that Washington would be looking for Malaysia’s support in the region to try to increase economic opportunities for the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) as well as for the US.
As for the continuing negotiations for a Malaysia-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Keith said: “We would be looking for Malaysia’s help in expanding our FTA talks and getting another round going and hopefully bring it to a conclusion that will increase opportunities, choice and increase prosperity for Malaysians and US citizens.”