© MAE
Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel has called Malaysia a key "gateway" between Europe and Asia during a two-day visit to Kuala Lumpur, where he met with top Malaysian leaders to push for closer ties.
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel highlighted Malaysia as a "gateway" for strengthening relations between Europe and Asia during a two-day working visit to Kuala Lumpur this week. Bettel met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, stressing the need to deepen bilateral relations.
"We believe Malaysia has many opportunities", Bettel said, pointing to the ASEAN presidency and the connection to adjacent Asian markets. In return, "Luxembourg can be the door to the European market", Bettel argued.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok and acts as a regional intergovernmental organisation that unites ten member states: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Malaysia is Germany's most significant trading partner within ASEAN, underlining its importance for Luxembourg as well.
Economically, Bettel noted that Luxembourg's presence in Malaysia already includes Cargolux and SES but said there is a range of additional opportunities for Luxembourg's financial interests.
Bettel further underlined the importance of cultivating partnerships with countries where diplomatic exchanges are less frequent, particularly since Luxembourg has launched its candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2030.
