Malaysia Looking To Groove In Closer Cooperation With Austria

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia hopes to deepen its longstanding bilateral ties with Austria by expanding cooperation across key sectors, including trade and investment, renewable energy, and education.

Speaking at Malaysia’s National Day and Malaysia Day reception in Vienna on Thursday, Malaysian Ambassador to Austria and Slovakia Datuk Fenny Nuli said the two countries could build on their longstanding friendship by injecting fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation.

“I hope to build on the longstanding friendship between Malaysia and Austria by adding a few new notes and raising the tempo of our cooperation, particularly in trade and investment, renewable energy, water management, education, culture, and diplomatic exchanges,” she said.

Fenny, who is also Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organisations in Vienna, highlighted Malaysia’s multicultural character and drew parallel with Austria’s rich musical heritage in describing the bilateral relationship.

“Like a composition in which different voices and cultural traditions retain their individual character while coming together in harmony,” she said. 

Guided by this year’s National Day and Malaysia Day theme, “Malaysia MADANI: Kesejahteraan Dinikmati,” Fenny said Malaysia remains committed to the aspiration that progress and prosperity should be shared by all.

Guest of honour and Austria’s Head of Protocol Ambassador Maximilian Hennig echoed Fenny’s musical metaphor, saying building a lasting friendship requires dedication and sustained effort, much like orchestrating a symphony.

He also highlighted growing economic links between the two countries, including the expanding presence of Austrian companies in Malaysia despite the geographical distance between them.

The reception, hosted by the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Malaysia in Vienna, drew more than 150 guests, including senior Austrian officials, heads of mission, representatives of international organisations, and members of the Malaysian community.

Also present at the reception were Friends of Malaysia in Austria, an informal grouping of local Austrians, artists, and supporters of the Malaysian diaspora such as Austrian-Malaysian Society, German/Austrian-Malaysian Roundtable Forum (Vienna Chapter), and Sinohouse Restaurant (Vienna).

-- BERNAMA