MALAYSIA AND EU FORM INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION CAUCUS

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 (Bernama) -- Malaysia looks set to further strengthen its
bilateral ties with the European Union (EU) following the formation of an Inter
Parliamentary Union (IPU) Malaysia-EU Caucus, Tuesday.

The Caucus, comprising 37 members of the Lower House of Parliament from across
the political party spectrum and five members of the Senate, will act as the
launching pad for greater and effective inter-parliamentary relationship between
the Malaysian Parliament and European Parliament.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohamed Nazri Aziz told
reporters that the Caucus would discuss a wide range of issues with its
European counterparts and that would include political cooperation, sustainable
development, global climate change and green technology.

Also present were the Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation for
Relation With Countries in South East Asia and Asean, Werner Langen and European
Union's Ambassador to Malaysia, Vincent Piket.

Meanwhile, Langen said the Caucus would help to provide further
opportunities in discussing the free trade agreement and bilateral trade on goods
and services between the EU and Malaysia.

"Once the free trade agreement with other countries has been agreed, it must be
submitted and approved by European Parliament and this is why we are looking at
certain aspects of how it effected not only Asean countries but also European
countries," he said.
--BERNAMA