Interview Francophone: What is the history and the present diagnosis of the French - Malaysian collaborations? 

    

H.E. Eldeen Husaini MOHD HASHIM, Ambassador of Malaysia to France: 

Malaysia and France share longstanding, warm and cordial relations, established since Malaysia’s independence in 1957. 

Over the years, bilateral relations have grown from strength to strength and encompass a wide area of cooperation and collaboration, among others, trade and investment, defence, science and technology, education, culture, and tourism.

 

The recent visit by the Hon. Dato’ Sri Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia to France, on 3 and 4 July 2025 brought bilateral ties to new heights. This is the first official visit to France by a Malaysian Prime Minister in the last 15 years. It was a resounding success with a revival of partnerships across all sectors.

 

The Prime Minister’s visit gave impetus to the bilateral cooperation and set the momentum to further build on the ongoing cooperation by exploring new ventures, especially as we approach 70 years of diplomatic relations (2027).

 

In the interim, we expect to see more economic activities between Malaysia and France; more high-level exchange of visits including potentially President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Malaysia as well as collaboration in areas of mutual interest and more people-to-people exchanges.     

 

 

Interview Francophone: What are the most admirable projects you would like to put in light for this collaboration?

 

H.E. Eldeen Husaini MOHD HASHIM, Ambassador of Malaysia to France : 

The Prime Minister’s recent visit to France was a success. He was accompanied by several key ministers notably the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Minister of Transport, Minister of Defense, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security as well as Deputy Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation. This demonstrates the breath and depth of bilateral relations between our two countries. 

On the economic front, Malaysia and France enjoy very good relations. In 2024, France continues to be Malaysia’s third largest trading partner in the European Union (EU). Likewise, Malaysia is also France’s third largest trading partner in ASEAN. 

​

The Prime Minister’s visit also saw the signing of multiple agreements notably the MATRADE-Business France Memorandum of Understanding intended to strengthen trade promotion cooperation through joint initiatives aimed at enhancing bilateral trade and investment flows. This collaboration will explore trade and business development opportunities across strategic sectors such as Aerospace including New Space, Automotive, Renewable Energy, Digital Economy and Halal. Meanwhile, B-to-B agreements in critical mining and rare earth aerospace and defence were finalised, further reinforcing the industrial priorities of both sides. 

​

I am particularly pleased that in March 2025, Malaysia Airlines re-launched daily flights, servicing the Kuala Lumpur–Paris route. This will certainly boost two-way tourism and foster more exchanges as well as people-to-people network. In fact, French tourists were the highest number of European visitors to Malaysia in 2024, marking a significant increase of 39.5 %.

​

Education is one area which has defined our people to people relations over the years. Each year, hundreds of Malaysian students come to France to further their tertiary education in various fields from international relations to engineering. Likewise, many French students also pursue various mobility programmes in Malaysia as part of their studies. Having spent a good amount of time in France or Malaysia, these students would likely be fluent in French or Bahasa Melayu, truly understanding the culture of their “adoptive” country. These students will certainly be an asset for the future. 

 

Interview Francophone: What projects for the future? What collaborations in people-to-people network, tourism, defense and Innovation? 

 

H.E. Eldeen Husaini MOHD HASHIM, Ambassador of Malaysia to France: 

Following the visit of the Prime Minister, Malaysia and France have set new horizons for cooperation particularly in the fields of energy, digital and green economies, artificial intelligence (AI), renewable energy, critical metals and minerals, transport and aerospace, agriculture and food security, health and tourism.

 

Additionally, with the global economy pivoting towards sustainable, green policies as well as in keeping with climate and environmental commitments, opportunities abound for Malaysia and France to collaborate in these new areas. Our complementary strengths will enable us progress together towards shared ambition of a cleaner and greener future. I am also pleased to share with you that in recent years, Malaysia has put in placed several key policies and initiatives to support our climate goals and promote sustainable development such as the Malaysia's National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR); Green Technology Master Plan; New Industrial Master Plan 2030; and Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint among others that provides the right ecosystem for further collaboration in these areas. 

 

Defense cooperation remains among our most robust cooperation whereby regular exchanges on bilateral defence cooperation, as well as on defence strategy, regional insights and emerging security challenges are held. I am particularly pleased that both sides have agreed for the 6th Malaysia-France Defence Joint High Strategic Committee (DJHSC) at the Ministerial level at the earliest opportunity. 

 

In terms of tourism, the number of French tourist visiting Malaysia and Malaysian tourists visiting France is expected to increase with the resumption of daily direct flights between Kuala Lumpur and Paris. I also wish to highlight Visit Malaysia 2026 (VMY 2026) whereby the tourism sector will be given a boost and we look forward to welcoming more tourists in Malaysia. The VMY 2026 focuses on sustainable tourism, culture and heritage, nature and adventure, digital innovation, and global connectivity. Our long-term vision is not only for Malaysia to be a top travel destination, but a global model for sustainable, inclusive tourism that enriches both visitor experience and the livelihood of the host communities.

 

In keeping with the positive momentum generated by Prime Minister’s visit to France, I also encourage more interactions and exchanges between Malaysia and France, not only via the official G-2-G but also the businesses, academia, parliamentarians as well as civil society. This will help us better understand each other and facilitate more robust and meaningful Malaysia-France ties.  

 

Interview Francophone: What is Malaysia's approach to cultural relations with France? How do these exchanges help to strengthen the ties between the two countries?

​

H.E. Eldeen Husaini MOHD HASHIM, Ambassador of Malaysia to France: 

Cultural exchanges play a crucial role in strengthening the ties between Malaysia and France notably by fostering people-to-people connection, promote soft power which facilitate economic cooperation and ultimately reinforce bilateral relations. 

 

Since arriving in France, I observed that knowledge about Malaysia and Southeast Asia among the French is still lacking. Therefore, I have undertaken to correct this through various outreach programmes to promote Malaysia and build closer people-to-people relations.

 

Being a multiracial, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country, Malaysia is truly a kaleidoscope of cultures and a melting pot for gastronomy. Gastronomy is also something that the French truly appreciate. Though our cuisines are very different, it is well loved. 

 

Therefore, the Embassy in Paris constantly organizes various programmes that showcase our gastronomy (something Malaysia and France have in common) as well as our culture from music and dance to costumes and martial arts. Our focus has been to reach a varied audience to show what Malaysia Truly Asia means. 

 

Another important tool to promote culture and understanding is of course language. The French culture is widely known and successfully promoted in part by the teaching and learning of the French language. Today, I am pleased to learn that more and more French students are going to Malaysia through various mobility programmes to study or take on an internship and to learn Bahasa Melayu. 

 

 

Interview Francophone: What does mean France and French collaboration for you and for your country? 

​

H.E. Eldeen Husaini MOHD HASHIM, Ambassador of Malaysia to France: 

Over the years, Malaysia and France have achieved so much together, bilaterally and also through ASEAN and EU cooperation. Notwithstanding, we recognize the immense opportunity to deepen and grow our two-way ties as well as increase regional and international partnership. 

 

We certainly welcome France and Europe’s desire to expand collaboration, grow ties with ASEAN and deepen its presence in our region, as contained in its Indo-pacific Strategy. As we move forward together, we believe that this partnership must be built on mutual respect, fairness and equity. 

 

We are therefore encouraged by President Macron’s leadership in calling for “new coalitions for open trade, multilateralism and a rule-based order” articulated during recent engagements with ASEAN leaders. His words certainly help set a tone of mutual respect and genuine partnership.

 

To this end, Malaysia stands ready to expand, enhance and fortify with France especially in areas that bring mutual and lasting benefits to both our peoples. The Prime Minister’s recent visit has set out many new areas for collaboration and we look forward to working closely together with France in furthering them. 

 

 

Interview Francophone: 2025 marks a significant year for Malaysia as takes on the ASEAN Chairmanship. Can you tell us about some of the priorities of ASEAN and how it can work more closely with France?

 

H.E. Eldeen Husaini MOHD HASHIM, Ambassador of Malaysia to France: 

Home to approximately, 680 million people, ASEAN is among the world’s most diverse regions in terms of language, culture, religion and political structures. Yet, ASEAN has been able to maintain peace and stability while reconciling many differences through diplomacy.

 

Amidst increasing competition among major powers, declining multilateralism and the rules-based international order, I must say that ASEAN is even more relevant and indispensable now more than ever. Regional integration and cooperation have become very important. 

 

Hence I am proud that ASEAN Leaders adopted the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future was at the 46th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur on 26 May 2025. This Vision is aimed at forging regional community-building agenda for the next two decades. The Vision, in essence, is set to elevate ASEAN to become more resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-centred Community. It will also guide ASEAN in taking a more effective and innovative response to existing and future megatrends, while strengthening ASEAN Centrality. It also seeks to position ASEAN as a more effective global player that can contribute positively to global development.

 

President Emmanuel Macron, in his recent visit to the ASEAN Secretariat in May 2025, expressed France’s determination to continue its cooperation with ASEAN and its Member States, particularly in support of the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the Strategic Plans under its Development Partnership (France became a Development Partner of ASEAN in 2020). 

 

ASEAN’s economic prowess should also not go unnoticed. Its demographic power coupled with a youthful population are favourbale conditions for accelerated economic growth and development. The combined GDP of ASEAN Member States is approximately USD 3.8 trillion, making it the world's fifth-largest economy.

 

To this end, we invite France and the EU to explore new ventures and deepen cooperation with ASEAN especially in areas like digitalization and green technology as well as the ASEAN Power Grid. These areas also bode well will President Macron and France’s determination to jointly tackle environmental challenges, particularly the impact of climate change, and the promotion of sustainable development. 

 

 

Interview Francophone: What is your inspiring advice for the French people and business and political leaders?

 

H.E. Eldeen Husaini MOHD HASHIM, Ambassador of Malaysia to France: 

I invite everyone to come and discover Malaysia, be it for business or leisure. 

 

Investment opportunities abound. Malaysia is one of the most open economies in the world with a favorable business climate, excellent infrastructure as well as a skilled, multilingual workforce. As testament to this, there are currently close to 700 French companies already operating in Malaysia. Among others, some notable French companies already operating in Malaysia include STMicroelectronic, Safran Group, Airbus, Saint-Gobain, Lafarge, Arkema and Club Med.

 

Furthermore, our strategic location in the heart of Southeast Asia and the center of international trading routes, makes us the ideal economic hub and a key gateway to Asia. Malaysia welcomes economic collaboration in key sectors such as electrical & electronics, semiconductor technology, aerospace, automotive, and pharmaceuticals. France and Europe are leaders in these sectors with immense opportunities to collaborate as strategic partners in these sectors. Malaysia is open for business! 

 

For your next holiday, come discover Malaysia – a culturally rich and sustainable destination. From vibrant cities, heritage trails and pristine beaches to ancient rainforests, highland retreats and community-based tourism, experiences are rich and easily accessible. 

 

Notwithstanding, what really sets us apart is the warm Malaysian hospitality that you will not find anywhere else in the world. I invite you to come and discover the beauty of Malaysia and its people. 

​

​