Malaysia-EU FTA, PCA The Immediate Focus, Says Msian Ambassador TO Belgium

From Samantha Tan BRUSSELS, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), are the immediate focus for Zainuddin Yahya, the Malaysian Ambassador to Belgium, the EU and Luxembourg. "My key performance index is to ensure the smooth progress and conclusion of the FTA and PCA," he told Malaysian reporters, at a networking dinner in conjunction with the trade seminar for journalists from Southeast Asia, organised by the EU's Directorates-General for Trade from Dec 5-7. Zainuddin said for the FTA come into force, the PCA is a pre-requisite. Posted to Belgium in September this year, he said there needs to be flexibility and a spirit of compromise between the EU and Malaysia, for a sustainable, long-term trade relationship. Malaysia is committed to concluding the FTA talks with the EU by the middle or end of next year. On Oct 7 last year, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia expects the FTA between the country and the EU to be concluded within 18 months. Zainuddin said the EU and Malaysia are committed in accelerating the pace to ensure the FTA and PCA can be concluded as such within the anticipated timeframe. -- BERNAMA