VIENTIANE: Malaysia has expressed its desire to resume discussions on the Malaysia-EU free trade agreement (FTA), said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a bilateral meeting with European Council President Charles Michel, Anwar also shared several views on the EU's Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR), which has a direct impact on the nation's palm oil industry.
"I used this meeting to strengthen bilateral relations between Malaysia and the EU, in addition to exchanging views on regional and international geopolitical developments.
"Among other things, we agreed to work towards enhancing Asean-EU strategic cooperation, particularly during Malaysia's chairmanship of Asean next year," he said.
The bilateral meeting took place on the sidelines of the 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits at the National Convention Centre (NCC) here.
Last month, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz announced that Malaysia is officially ready to resume FTA negotiations with the EU, aiming for a final agreement.
He said the government would ensure that the negotiations result in a win-win situation for both parties.
Negotiations on the FTA began in October 2010, involving eight rounds of discussions up until September 2012, but were put on hold due to Malaysia's concerns over several aspects, such as palm oil, procurement policies, subsidies, and the EU's sustainability clauses.
Meanwhile, Anwar today also received a courtesy call from a delegation of the World Economic Forum (WEF), led by its executive chairman, Professor Klaus Schwab, who is also the prime minister's long-time friend.
"Our discussions touched on various important issues concerning regional and global economic developments.
"Prof Schwab also extended an invitation for me to attend the WEF in Davos in January next year. InsyaAllah, I will consider it," he said.