France, Malaysia To Deepen Ties Amid Growing Global Fragmentation

By Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali

KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- France and Malaysia will continue to strengthen bilateral cooperation and build closer ties as both countries seek to bridge divides in an increasingly fragmented global environment, French Ambassador to Malaysia Marc Abensour said.

He said the partnership was underpinned by growing economic cooperation, as well as strong educational, cultural and people-to-people exchanges that continue to deepen relations between the two countries.

“In a fragmented world, our responsibility is to build bridges, and that is exactly what France and Malaysia are doing together,” he said in his opening remarks at the French National Day reception at the ambassador’s residence here on Tuesday evening.

Abensour said bilateral trade grew by 11 per cent last year, while about 600 French companies operating in Malaysia supported more than 30,000 local jobs.

He said Malaysia was also the world’s 10th-largest destination for French foreign direct investment.

The ambassador said people-to-people exchanges remained vibrant, with more than 3,700 candidates undertaking French-language certification in Malaysia, placing the country third in Asia behind India and China.

Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh, the guest of honour, officiated at the celebration.

About 800 guests, including senior government officials, diplomats and ambassadors from various countries, attended the reception.

Guests were served a selection of French cuisine, while a durian-tasting booth added a distinctly Malaysian touch to the celebration.

French National Day, celebrated annually on July 14, commemorates the Storming of the Bastille in 1789 and honours the values of liberty, equality and fraternity.

-- BERNAMA