MERKEL VISIT TO MALAYSIA IN THE WORKS - ENVOY

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Newly re-elected German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Malaysia next year is in the works as Germany seeks to boost bilateral ties with more high-ranking exchanges.

German Ambassador to Malaysia Dr Guenter Gruber told the media that he was
planning on a visit by the 55-year-old Merkel.

"We are looking forward to more of such visits, not just between the leaders
of both countries but also among the senior officials," he said at a luncheon
at his residence Monday, to celebrate the results of the Sept 27 German national
election.

Gruber said Germany was planning more high-ranking visits to boost bilateral
ties with Malaysia and foster partnerships in various fields of expertise.

Expressing confidence that ties would be further strenghtened, he also hoped
that more top Malaysian officials would visit Germany in the future.

He said, despite having a good relationship, there had been lack of
cooperation and dialogue between the decision-makers of the two countries.

The last chancellor to visit Malaysia was Gerhard Schroder in 2003 when he
met then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad while Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
was the last Malaysian premier to visit Germany in 2005.

-- BERNAMA