The Edge Markets (06/03/2018) - KUALA LUMPUR (March 6): Malaysia has taken a stand that palm oil would be at the top of the agenda on its free trade talks under the Association of South East Nation (ASEAN) with European Union (EU), which must be first resolved before any other issue.

“Palm oil should be on top of the agenda. It is our most important export. In this free trade agreement with EU, this must be resolved first. There will be no conclusion on EU trade talks, without a resolution on palm oil,” said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.

Mah told reporters after his keynote speech at the Price Outlook Conference and Exhibition of the 29th Palm and Lauric Oils event that he has spoken with International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, and that he has agreed on the stand.

Asked if it was a suspension on Malaysia’s part over the ASEAN FTA with EU, Mah said he would let Mustapa explain.

Malaysia came to this, following the proposed palm oil biofuel ban by the EU Parliament, despite pleas by producing countries, including largest exporter Indonesia, to abandon the resolution.

Two weeks ago, during Chinese New Year, Mah met with his counterparts in six large European countries, including Spain, Italy and France, on the ban.

“The European parliament still needs to discuss with the councils, comprising of all the ministers. I think we have conveyed our positions to them and given them the facts. We are encouraged by their response that palm oil shouldn’t be discriminated.

“We are talking about free trade, EU is a leader of free trade. So to discriminate against palm oil, I think that goes against the principles of free trade,” Mah said.

He added that he is positive about these countries, as they have given assurances that they will not support any discrimination against palm oil when it comes to discussions with the EU Parliament.

Read more at https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/resolve-palm-oil-issue-first-ahead-aseaneu-fta-says-mah