Alan Kelly
Question:334. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has spoken formally to the Malaysian Ambassador to Ireland to date in 2021. [33092/21]
View answerTuesday, 22 June 2021
Questions (334)
Written answers
Ireland and Malaysia have enjoyed close and fruitful diplomatic relations since 1974. In 1995 Ireland opened its embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Ireland’s first resident Embassy in Southeast Asia. The Embassy of Malaysia in Ireland was established in Dublin in November 2001. Malaysia remans the only country in the region to have a resident Embassy in Dublin and we are appreciative of the scope that this provides for enhanced economic and political relations.
Malaysia remains one of the most economically and politically important countries in South East Asia and cooperation between our nations flourish in the areas of education, trade, investment and tourism, among others. There is considerable scope for economic ties to develop further and I was pleased to note a 8.5% increase in exports to Malaysia between 2020 and 2021.
Malaysia is a key member of ASEAN. At Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, I highlighted the importance of increased bilateral engagement with ASEAN member states as well as regional engagement with ASEAN following the recently agreed ASEAN/EU Strategic Partnership.
I last met His Excellency Zakaria Nasir, Ambassador of Malaysia to Ireland, in October 2020 as part of a remote consultation with the ASEAN Dublin Committee. We held a constructive discussion on the topics of Brexit, COVID-19, the UN Security Council and Ireland’s Asia Pacific strategy. Though I have not yet spoken formally to Ambassador Nasir in 2021, officials from my Department’s Asia Pacific Unit met remotely with the Ambassador earlier this year and are in ongoing contact with the Embassy as issues arise.