Embassy of Malaysia
Paris
PRESS RELEASE
8/08 For Immediate Release
Reception to Commemorate Malaysia?s
51st National Day in Marseille, France
The Embassy of Malaysia in France held a reception in Marseille on Thursday, 9 October 2008, as part of its activities to celebrate the 51st National Day of Malaysia on 31 August 2008. The reception, hosted by H.E. Dato? S. Thanarajasingam, Ambassador of Malaysia to France and his spouse, Datin Dr. Saradha Iyer, was held at Sofitel Vieux Port Hotel.
2. The reception was attended by more than 200 guests and personalities such as senior officials from the Mairie of Marseilles, French government agencies, Consul Generals, captains of industry, media, education and cultural institutions as well as the Malaysian community in Marseilles and its surrounding area.
3. Prior to the reception, the Tourism Malaysia office based in Paris had organised a travel seminar for tour agents in and around Marseille. In his opening remarks, H.E. Dato? S.Thanarajasingam said that Malaysia was a unique country which is multireligious, multicultural and multiracial. Its people are warm and hospitable, making it a tourist friendly country. Malaysia is a value for money destination, particularly in eco-tourism. With 59,456 tourist visitors from France in 2007, the Ambassador was confident that the number will increase with the support of the tour agents based in and around Marseille.
4. During the cocktail reception held later in the evening, a number of models paraded the lovely and rich batik which was brought to Marseille by the Art and Design Faculty, Mara Technology University (UiTM), one of the top creative schools in the Malaysia. A Malaysian artist based in Nice, Mr. Michael Anthony also displayed his art pieces during the reception.
5. In 2007, Malaysia and France had celebrated its 50th anniversary of its diplomatic relations. France was one of the first 16 countries which immediately established diplomatic ties following Malaysia?s independence in 1957. Malaysia was keen to develop its relations with Marseille, including strengthening its port and shipping relations. The Port of Marseille Authority (PMA) has established cooperation with the Port Klang Authority in Malaysia as their strategic partner in South East Asia, with the signing of the Sister Port Agreement (MOU) by both parties on 8 November 2001.
6. Malaysia also intends to establish an Honorary Consulate of Malaysia in Marseilles to develop and deepen its relations with the port city. Both expect to benefit from each other?s experience in promoting cultural understanding, as Marseille sets to assume its role as the European Cultural Capital in 2013.
