The Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia was thrilled to welcome Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission (HRVP), on her maiden visit to Malaysia from 10-11 July.

In the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Ministerial Meeting, chaired by Malaysia, HRVP Kallas joined Foreign Ministers from ASEAN Member States and other ASEAN dialogue partners to exchange views on pressing regional and global security issues. 

HRVP Kallas also co-chaired the EU-ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference, an important opportunity to discuss and deepen cooperation between what can be considered the two most successful regional organisations in the world, ASEAN and the EU.

In the margins of the events organised in conjunction with the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, HRVP Kallas held bilateral engagements with many of her counterparts, including with Foreign Minister of Lao PDR H.E. Thongsavanh Phomvihane, the Second Foreign Minister of Brunei H.E. Erywan Mohamed Yusof, Foreign Minister of Thailand H.E. Maris Sangiampongsa, Foreign Minister of Australia H.E. Penny Wong, Foreign Minister of Indonesia H.E. Sugiono, Foreign Minister of Vietnam H.E. Bui Thanh Son and Foreign Secretary of the UK H.E. David Lammy.

HRVP Kallas travelled to Kuala Lumpur for another main reason: to engage bilaterally with Malaysia at the highest level. 

HRVP Kallas paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, where they discussed ways to deepen EU-Malaysia ties and strengthen cooperation on trade, sustainability, and regional security. The High Representative was also honoured to have been granted a private audience with the HRH Sultan Nazrin of Perak. She briefly met with Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan in the margins of the ASEAN meetings. 

While in Kuala Lumpur, HRVP Kallas also took the opportunity to meet Malaysian youths and representatives from civil society organisations to foster important dialogue covering a wide breadth of topics from human rights and democracy to climate justice and youth engagement. 

She also held extensive engagements with both local and international media to delve into pressing global issues such as the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza and Ukraine, the trade war and avenues for enhancing EU-ASEAN cooperation. 

HRVP Kallas also visited the Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. She met the team behind the scene to thank them for their relentless effort and important contribution to fostering our Malaysian-EU partnership. A highlight of her visit was the presentation of a 20-year service medal to Madam Ng Chiew Lim, from the Delegation’s Administration section, in tribute to her dedicated years of service. 

The HRVP's visit truly notched a significant milestone in the chapter of diplomatic relations between the EU and Malaysia, highlighting the shared commitment towards open dialogue and enhanced cooperation.