GERMANY SET TO BOOST TIES WITH MALAYSIA

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah Tengku Abdullah

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- Germany is set to further enhance
cooperation with Malaysia both politically and economically through visits of
high ranking officials, German Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Gunter Gruber said.

"I have very good feelings that very soon, we will have high ranking
visitors from both sides, from Malaysia to Germany and vice-versa.

" This will increase cooperation between Germany and Malaysia, which is very
good right now but we can foster and do more," he told Bernama at a reception
held on Tuesday in conjunction with the Day of German Unity, the national day of
Germany.

He hoped the warm relationship existing between the both countries would
continue to be enhanced and strengthened at all levels.

The Day of German Unity is celebrated on October 3 as a public holiday. It
commemorates the anniversary of German reunification in 1990.

An alternative choice would have been the day the Berlin Wall was torn down
on Nov 9, 1989, which coincided with the anniversary of the proclamation of the
German Republic in 1918.

Touching on the Day of German Unity, Gruber said:" Today is the day of
celebration for Germans, of course our National Day, 16th anniversary, 20 years
after the fall of Berlin Wall."

He said the days now were more peaceful than it was previously.

" I am also very greatful that we can celebrate it here in Malaysia which is
a stable country politically. We can even increase our cooperation with
Malaysia, especially with the new government" he said.

Political ties between Malaysia and Germany is very cordial and friendly and
is based principally on the two countries' intensive economic relations.

Among ASEAN countries, Malaysia and Singapore, has for many years been
Germany's principal trading partner.

Germany ranked 10th worldwide among Malaysia's trading partners and in
2008, two-way trade amounted to EUR8.38 billion.
-- BERNAMA