By Sharen Kaur
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| French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier said his official visit to Malaysia underscores France's commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia, which it sees as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia and an important partner amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties. Pic credit: Embassy of France in Malaysia |
KUALA LUMPUR: France is seeking to build a broader "sovereignty partnership" with Malaysia that extends beyond trade to secure supply chains, accelerate the energy transition and deepen cooperation in strategic technologies.
French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness Nicolas Forissier said his official visit to Malaysia underscores France's commitment to strengthening ties with Malaysia, which it sees as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia and an important partner amid growing geopolitical and economic uncertainties.
"It is important for me to be here in Kuala Lumpur," he said. "We are here to build a win-win partnership. What we are building is a sovereignty partnership, not just a trade partnership."
He said resilient and diversified supply chains had become increasingly important, making cooperation between "like-minded countries" such as France and Malaysia more critical.
"Malaysia is a gateway to Asean, and it is in this spirit that I made the trip," he said. "It is a key milestone in our relationship. We now have to foster our partnership. We have to build, secure and diversify our supply chains."
The minister's visit comes as the European Union and Malaysia press ahead with negotiations on a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA), which resumed in January 2025 after a 13-year hiatus. Four negotiating rounds have been completed, with a fifth scheduled as both sides target concluding the agreement by 2027.
"We have had four rounds of negotiations, and we are working towards a fifth round," he said. "We have to be active. We have no time to lose."
Beyond trade, Forissier said France wants to expand collaboration with Malaysia in defence and security, renewable energy, critical minerals and raw materials, as well as artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.
"We have long-standing partnerships in defence and security. We are also looking at the energy transition, renewable energy, minerals and raw materials," he said. "It is important to put more energy into our relationship."
Source; https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/07/1484046/france-pushes-sovereignty-partnership-malaysia-eu-trade-talks
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