Catherine Murphy
Question:46. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has met formally with the Malaysian Ambassador to Ireland to date in 2024. [15565/24]
View answerWednesday, 10 April 2024
Questions (46)
Written answers
Ireland and Malaysia enjoy positive diplomatic relations, supported by resident Embassies in each other’s countries. The Ambassador of Malaysia to Ireland presented credentials to President Higgins in November 2023. Although I have not met the Ambassador so far in 2024, my officials have excellent ongoing engagement with the Ambassador and his team.
As set out in the Government’s Asia Pacific Strategy, we are committed to strengthening and deepening Ireland’s relations with the countries of South East Asia. I engage regularly with officials in my Department with responsibility for bilateral relations, and I am briefed on developments in Malaysia, and in the South East Asia region more broadly, when necessary.
Cooperation between Ireland and Malaysia continues to grow, particularly in the areas of education, trade, investment and tourism. Ireland has long-standing people-to-people links with Malaysia, including an active Irish community, and it is estimated that approximately 1,000 Malaysian students are studying in Irish institutions. Two-way trade in goods reached over €2 billion in 2023 and trade in services was €2.5 billion in 2022.
I look forward to continued engagement with Malaysia over the coming period.