The Star Online (30/01/2018) - KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia can count on France for support on the issue of European Union (EU) resolutions to ban palm oil biofuels by 2020.

France Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said her government understood the importance of palm oil for the economy of Malaysia.

“I am honoured to have met the Malaysian Prime Minister earlier this morning.

“We had a fruitful exchange on many issues. He also raised the issue of palm oil.

“I told him we understood the importance of this sector, in particular for rural development,” she said after attending the 4th Malaysia-France Defence Joint High Strategic Committee Meeting with Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein at Wisma Perwira yesterday.

Parly said France was in favour of no ban and no discrimination against palm oil at the national and EU levels.

“We want to work together with producing countries to encourage sustainability in this sector to benefit all sides,” she said.

On her meeting with Hishammu­ddin, they touched on issues including terrorism, North Korea’s nuclear ambition, and maritime security.

Parly described terrorism as her country’s “most important and immediate threat”.

On North Korea, she said it was not only about stability in North-East Asia but also about the sustainability of the global order in its current framework.

On maritime security, she said the consequences of a potential crisis here would go well beyond the region.

“One third of the world’s maritime trade passes through this area.

“As a maritime and naval power, we will continue to uphold free transit and to promote the implementation of international law,” she said.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/01/30/france-backs-malaysias-palm-oil-sector/#ChJOmmZTwWgmMwkb.99