After a pause of more than 10 years, the EU and Malaysia have decided to resume negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA). The talks, which began in 2010, were suspended at Kuala Lumpur’s request in 2012.
Malaysia is the EU’s third largest partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The EU exported goods worth €15.6 billion to the region in 2023, a large proportion of which were industrial products.
“While some turn inwards towards isolation and fragmentation, Europe and Malaysia are choosing a different path: reaching out, building partnerships, and creating new opportunities for our people”, stated the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the announcement of the resumption of negotiations.
While the country has still not abolished the death penalty, the President of the Commission assures that the agreement will not stop at trade and that it will provide a platform for dialogue on issues of concern to the EU, such as human rights.
At a time when tensions are mounting between the EU and China, and US President Donald Trump is threatening trade barriers, the EU is announcing a series of partnerships with other countries around the world.
In December, Ms von der Leyen personally visited Montevideo, Uruguay, to announce the conclusion of negotiations with Mercosur (see EUROPE 13540/1). Then, on Friday 17 January, it was with Mexico that the Commission concluded its negotiations for a global agreement (see EUROPE 13560/1). (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)