PARIS: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will spend two days here on his inaugural visit to this European capital as Prime Minister.
The visit, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, includes a tete-a-tete between the two leaders, followed by a delegation meeting at the Elysee Palace.
Discussions will cover the overall state of Malaysia-France relations, with emphasis on enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, defence, education and tourism, among other topics.
Both leaders are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including Asean-France Development Partnership, Asean-EU Dialogue Relations and the situation in West Asia.
Malaysia’s ambassador to France Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim and Defence Attache Captain Zainol Ahmad, as well as French ambassador to Malaysia Axel Cruau received the Prime Minister on his arrival at Paris Orly Airport.
Eldeen Husaini said the Prime Minister’s two-day visit has been elevated to an official visit.
“This reflects the importance of diplomatic ties between the two countries,” he told a press conference.
Eldeen Husaini said as Asean Chair this year, the Prime Minister is also expected to bring up regional issues in his discussion with Macron such as the South China Sea, the South-East Asian economy and Malaysia’s role as a neutral country.
He said Anwar’s visit is also to explore business collaboration opportunities through a roundtable discussion with France’s industry captains.
“A total of 180 companies will participate in this session, which will also be attended by industry players from Malaysia,” he said.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to deliver a public lecture titled ‘South-East Asia and Europe: Recalibrating the Terms of Engagement’ at Sorbonne University.
“Among guests invited to the Prime Minister’s lecture include ambassadors, think tanks, students and local media practitioners,” said Eldeen Husaini.
France is one of Malaysia’s top five trading partners in the European Union and a key source of FDI in high-tech and strategic sectors.
In 2024, total trade between Malaysia and France amounted to RM15.95bil.
From January to May this year, trade between Malaysia and France was recorded at RM6.26bil.
While in Paris, the Prime Minister will also engage with the Malaysian diaspora.
After France, Anwar is heading to Brazil to attend the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit at the invitation of Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
