FRANCE TO ENHANCE CULTURAL RELATIONS WITH MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- France is keen to expand bilateral ties
with Malaysia, in terms of cultural cooperation, as both countries can
potentially immerse in the vast untapped cultural areas.

Its ambassador to Malaysia, Marc Barety, said France had great interest in
Malaysian culture and believed there were a number of cultural areas for
exploration by both coutries.

He said, one of the possibilities was to establish cooperation between
France's Louvre Museum -- home to the famous Mona Lisa painting -- and
Malaysia.

Barety said the museum was currently looking for cooperation with Islamic
countries in expanding its Islamic department and would seek Malaysia's
expertise as it was considered a prominent Islamic country.

The ambassador was speaking to reporters after calling on Information
Communication and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim at Angkasapuri here
Friday.

Angkasapuri is Angkasapuri is the main governmental building for Malaysia's
Ministry of Information and it is also the headquarters for Radio (and)
Television Malaysia (RTM), a Malaysian state-owned public broadcaster.

During the meeting, Barety also handed over a letter from Louvre chairman
Henri Loyrette.

The illustrious Louvre is one of Europe's oldest museums. It houses artworks
from the ancient Mediterranean civilisations to the first half of the 19th
century.

Other potential areas of cooperation discussed during the meeting include
museumology and exchange of cultural exhibitions between the two countries.

"We have our France Art Festival for which the Malaysian authorities have
great support in. In the future, maybe we could expand cooperation in music,
dancing, Rain Forest Festival and art exhibitions, including photography," said
Barety.

He said the meeting also discussed the possibility of having the Malaysian
cultural week in France, in the near future.

On Malaysia's 1Malaysia concept, Barety, who described it as an interesting
concept, said: "It is interesting to see how the concept could promote a
multi-racial country.

"France is looking into it with great interest as it is also a multi-racial
country."

-- BERNAMA