Macron Hosts Anwar Ibrahim at the Élysée as Both Nations Signal Stronger Strategic Ties
Paris, France – In a bid to strengthen bilateral relations and boost strategic cooperation, French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the Élysée Palace this week. The meeting marked a significant moment in France–Malaysia diplomatic relations, as both leaders pledged to deepen ties across economic, security, and geopolitical domains.
The visit, held against the backdrop of rising regional tensions in the Indo-Pacific and shifting global alliances, underscores France’s continued push to engage more robustly with Southeast Asia.
Strategic and Economic Partnerships in Focus
During the meeting, Macron and Anwar discussed expanding bilateral trade, increasing defense cooperation, and enhancing collaboration on clean energy and technology transfer. French firms have already been active in Malaysia’s infrastructure and transport sectors, while Malaysia continues to view France as a gateway to European markets.
“We are committed to fostering a comprehensive partnership based on mutual respect, innovation, and regional peace,” Macron said after the meeting. He praised Malaysia’s role as a stabilizing force in ASEAN and acknowledged the country’s growing influence in regional diplomacy.
Prime Minister Anwar echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for joint initiatives in green energy, sustainable urban development, and education exchange programs. “France is a critical partner for Malaysia as we look to modernize our economy and elevate our global engagement,” he noted.
Geopolitical Cooperation and Indo-Pacific Alignment
The leaders also discussed the evolving security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific, where both nations share a strategic interest in maintaining freedom of navigation and a rules-based international order. France, with overseas territories in the Pacific and strong naval presence, has been increasing its engagement with Asian nations as part of its Indo-Pacific strategy.
Anwar and Macron pledged support for greater ASEAN–EU cooperation and agreed on the importance of multilateralism in addressing challenges such as climate change, maritime security, and the war in Ukraine.
People-to-People Ties and Cultural Exchange
Beyond economics and security, the leaders touched on educational and cultural diplomacy, with new scholarship programs and university partnerships set to be announced. France remains a popular destination for Malaysian students, and both countries emphasized the value of soft diplomacy in strengthening long-term ties.
This visit comes as part of Prime Minister Anwar’s broader European tour aimed at expanding Malaysia’s diplomatic footprint and attracting investment amid global economic uncertainty.
