Malaysia-EU FTA talks to conclude in 2026, says Tengku Zafrul
24 Feb 2025
The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Malaysia and the European Union (EU) are expected to be concluded next year, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
Tengku Zafrul said concerns surrounding palm oil have been successfully resolved by both parties.
“I am pleased to report that palm oil is no longer an issue in these FTA negotiations. We have successfully addressed their (EU) concerns by adhering to the standards set.
“However, there are other new areas that we must also pay attention to, and before we can finalise this, there are still many things we need to do.
“Unlike previous FTAs, this one is more comprehensive as it covers digital and green aspects. We want to ensure that this agreement benefits all parties,” he said.
Tengku Zafrul was speaking at the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) 2024 Performance Report Card and strategic direction for 2025.
He emphasised that in any FTA, it is crucial to ensure Malaysian companies are well-prepared to participate and benefit from it.
“Without their involvement, the positive effects of the FTA will be difficult to observe. My target is to finalise this EU FTA next year.
However, the exact timeline remains uncertain, and I will provide updates when available. I am working hard to make it happen,” Tengku Zafrul said.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the resumption of the Malaysia-EU FTA negotiations last month.
The announcement was made during Anwar’s official visit to Brussels, Belgium, on Jan 19 to Jan 20, 2025.
Source: NST
