WELCOME, HOLLANDE!
French leader is second president to visit Malaysia since 2003
FRENCH President Francois Hollande arrived at the Bunga Raya Complex of Kuala Lumpur International Airport here yesterday to begin his two-day state visit to Malaysia.
Hollande arrived in a private jet at 8.25pm and on hand to receive him was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
He was given a red carpet welcome and inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Sixth Royal Ranger Regiment.
Wisma Putra said Hollande was scheduled to have an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V and hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Najib and Hollande will take stock of bilateral relations and explore areas of collaboration.
Both leaders are scheduled to witness the signing of a memorandum of understanding to promote cooperation and boost economic collaboration between Malaysia and France.
This is the second state visit by a French president to Malaysia. Former president Jacques Chirac visited Malaysia in July 2003, which was hailed as an important milestone in relations.
“President Hollande’s visit will intensify the excellent relations between the two countries,” Wisma Putra said. Bernama