EU engages the Malaysian media …

To mark Europe Day, the “national” day of the European Union, the EU delegation office in Kuala Lumpur organized a luncheon between the 17 EU ambassadors in Malaysia and senior representatives of the Malaysian media.

Head of EU delegation Vincent Piket says the union wants to step up relations with Malaysia as part of their expanding relations with Southeast Asia.
"And because we recognize that, to realize that goal, it is vital to have close and open working relations with the media," he said.
With 27 member states presently and close to 500 million citizens, the EU says it deserves attention.
"Over the past 53 years, the EU has become the most advanced project for regional integration the world has seen so far. It is one of Malaysia’s most important trade partners.
And over the past decade, Malaysia and the EU have engaged politically at bilateral level, to promote stability and integration in Southeast Asia, and to address global issues," says Piket.

Dutch ambassador Paul Bekkers addressed the luncheon on Economy, Danish ambassador Svend Waever on Environment and Austrian ambassador Andrea Wicke on Values.
Spanish ambassador Jose Ramon Baranano gave the closing remarks as the EU Presidency-in-Office.

Footnote: During their summit in Milan in 1985, EU leaders decided to celebrate 9 May as Europe Day. Today, Europe Day is an annual celebration of the diversity of cultures within Europe and provides an opportunity to learn more about the European Union