President Rosen Plevneliev has been promised by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak that he will check the specific facts of the case of two Bulgarians sentenced to death by a court of first instance. This took place during the second day of the ASEM Summit in Vientiane. “Malaysia's judiciary is an independent institution and a Prime Minister could hardly affect it because it is a democratic state,” the President said. Recently, heavy sentences in the country in connect to narcotics trafficking had not been implemented because it was believed that the legislation should be changed and adapted to new realities in the world, the President said after the meeting. During the conversation, he expressed the Bulgarian and European position for a rethink on the application of the death penalty.

President Plevneliev and Prime Minister Razak highlighted opportunities for co-operation in tourism, energy, food production, mining and metals, co-operation between research institutions such as the Bulgarian Academy of Science and its related entities. We want to develop scientific and research co-operation with countries like China and Vietnam, the President said.

The president sought the support of Malaysia for the re-election of Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO.