French President Francois Hollande arrived at the Bunga Raya Complex, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, here today to begin his two-day state visit to Malaysia.

Hollande arrived in a private jet at about 8.25pm and on hand to receive him was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, who is Minister-in-Attendance while Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein was also present.

He was given a red carpet welcome and walked past a guard of honour mounted by the Sixth Royal Ranger Regiment.

Wisma Putra in a statement today 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 Tun Razak.

Najib and Hollande would take stock of bilateral relations as well as explore other possible areas of collaboration, the statement said.

Both leaders are also scheduled to witness the signing of bilateral agreements and a memorandum of understanding aimed at further promoting cooperation and stimulate greater economic collaboration between Malaysia and France, it said.

This is the second state visit by a French President to Malaysia.

President Jacques Chirac paid a state visit to Malaysia in July 2003, a visit that was hailed as an important milestone for Malaysia-France bilateral relations.

"It is expected that President Hollande's visit will further intensify the excellent relations between the two countries," Wisma Putra said.

--BERNAMA