Resumption of FTA talks a milestone for Malaysia-EU ties: Tengku Zafrul

20 Jan 2025

The resumption of negotiations for the Malaysia-European Union Free Trade Agreement (MEUFTA) serves as a significant milestone in enhancing trade relations between Malaysia and EU.

Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the ministry and the EU commissioner for trade and economic security Maroš Šefčovič welcomed the resumption of negotiations.

“These negotiations have begun at a historic moment. In the current, ever-changing geopolitical landscape, it is crucial to build new partnerships, foster cooperation, and explore new opportunities, and that is exactly what we are doing through these negotiations,” the ministry said in a statement.

It added that a modern and dynamic free trade agreement will bring mutual benefits, open doors to new business opportunities, and enhance the resilience of supply chains.

“We look forward to the first round of productive negotiations in the coming months.”

Malaysia and the EU have resumed negotiations for MEUFTA, which had been stalled since 2012.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this was agreed upon together with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen during his working visit to Brussels, Belgium from Jan 19-20.

In a statement today, the Prime Minister’s Office said the renewed engagement marks a significant milestone in strengthening Malaysia’s economic ties with one of the world’s largest trading blocs.

Source: NST