PARIS - French President Emmanuel Macron has regarded Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s visit a success, with the two leaders jointly reviving partnerships across all sectors.

“You have had high-level meetings with the Prime Minister (François Bayrou) and other key officials, delivered an important speech at the Sorbonne (University), engaged with civil society leaders, and met with our business community,” Mr Macron said to Mr Anwar .

He added the rapprochement between the two nations’ economies and shared diversification strategies were essential.

Mr Macron was referring to the newly signed project in the critical minerals and rare earths sector with the company Carester, which just opened a plant in Lacq; in transport, with the

historic cooperation between Malaysia Airlines and Airbus

; and also in the field of energy transition.

“In South-East Asia, I reiterated our support for regional electricity connectivity, including support for civil nuclear energy,” he said.

“I must also mention the exchanges between our artists, researchers, academics, and students — all those who bring the France-Malaysia relationship to life. New agreements are in view to continue weaving this human connection between our countries.”

Mr Anwar said the collaboration in the private sector is why Government-to-Government arrangements, exchanges with ministers, and exchange of policies should continue at the higher level.

“I think we have benefited immensely from the education, the AI, digital engineering that many of our students have been trained (in) here,” he added.

“We want to further explore. We have now started to get students into Malaysia, French students and tourism are also increasing,” he added. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

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