European Union–Malaysia Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement initialled today
eeas.europa.eu/node/10340_en
06.04.2016
The chief negotiators of the European Union and Malaysia initialled today the text of the
EU-Malaysia Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) at a ceremony held at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia in Putrajaya. The in itialling marks the successful
closure of negotiations that started in October 2010.
Federica Mogherini, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and security
Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission said: "Today's initialling is a concrete
step that will further advance our bilateral relations. The Agreement will reinforce our
political dialogue with Malaysia on a range of issues, among them counter-terrorism and
the promotion of human rights and of international justice.”
The PCA will provide the overarching legal framework for strengthening EU-Malaysia
bilateral cooperation. The new Agreement is far-reaching and encompasses a full range
of areas of common interest for the EU and Malaysia. It is testimony to the growing
importance that the EU attaches to its partnership with ASEAN as a whole, and with
Malaysia as one of ASEAN's founding countries and as a historically close partner.
The Agreement will enhance political dialogue and will intensify the EUMalaysia relationship on regional and global issues such as counter-terrorism, the fight
against corruption, the promotion of human rights and of international justice, and the
strengthening of the international framework for the non-proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction.
It will give more scope for sectoral cooperation in a broad number of areas of mutual
interest such as migration issues, money laundering and terrorism financing, information
society, cybersecurity, science and innovation, green technologies, energy, transport,
education, environment, health, labour and employment, and public administration. Over
time, the PCA may be complemented by a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Background
Malaysia is the sixth ASEAN partner to finalise negotiations for a Partnership
and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union. Negotiations for similar
agreements were concluded with Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Singapore and
Thailand. The PCA with Indonesia has already entered into force.
For the time being EU - Malaysia bilateral relations are based upon a European
Commission–ASEAN Cooperation Agreement signed in 1980. The new Partnership and
Cooperation Agreement will replace this current agreement and strongly reinforce
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