NEW ENVOY SEEKS TO ENHANCE BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND IRELAND

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 (Bernama) -- The new Malaysian ambassador to Ireland
Raja Nazrin Raja Aznam has pledged to further enhance and diversify the close
and friendly ties between the two countries.

He made the pledge when he presented his letter of appointment to President
Mary McAleese at the latter's official residence in Dublin on Oct 9, according
to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry here.

Malaysia and Ireland have extensive links, especially in education and
trade.

There are more than 1,000 Malaysian students in Ireland and the Emerald
Isle is Malaysia's eighth largest trading partner among the 27 European Union
countries.

Raja Nazrin holds a Master's degree in international law from the
University of Hull, United Kingdom and had served in various posts, including as
undersecretary of the Adjudication and Arbitration Division, principal
assistant secretary of the Territorial and Maritime Affairs Division and senior
assistant secretary of the Policy Planning Division at Wisma Putra (Foreign
Ministry).

He also served with distinction at Malaysian missions in Washington D.C and
at The Hague.

Raja Nazrin, who received his letter of credence from the Malaysian King on
Aug 22, followed the footsteps of his father Raja Aznam Raja Ahmad, who
presented his credentials as ambassador to Ireland on May 13, 1980.