Saifuddin to attend programme to promote language and cultural diplomacy in Germany

According to the Foreign Ministry (Wisma Putra), the programme will provide an opportunity for the minister to meet his counterpart, participate in a Roundtable Discussion (RTD) entitled "Peaceful Coexistence in the Post-Pandemic Era" as well as lecture series entitled "Social Cohesion: Moving Beyond the Frame of Conflict and Consensus" in Berlin and Frankfurt.

Two prominent academicians from the National University of Malaysia (UKM), Prof Ulung Datuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharudin and Prof Datuk Dr Anis Yusal Yusoff, will participate in both RTD and lecture series in the said cities.

"This programme is expected to provide an avenue to further promote Malaysia's foreign policy priority areas of Cultural Diplomacy and Peaceful Coexistence," Wisma Putra said in a statement today.

During the first leg of the visit to Berlin on Sept 28 to 29, Saifuddin is scheduled to meet German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, to take stock of the progress in furthering the long-standing multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

"This meeting would also provide an opportunity for both ministers to further discuss and exchange views on the philosophy of Peaceful Coexistence, cooperation in the field of culture, ASEAN cooperation as well as inter-regional and international issues of mutual interest," the statement read.

Subsequently, it said Saifuddin will participate in a RTD at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Europe (IISS).

He is also scheduled to deliver a keynote address at a lecture series at the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD), Berlin.

In the second leg of the visit to Frankfurt on Sept 30 to Oct 1, the minister will participate in a RTD at Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF).

He is also scheduled to speak in a lecture at Romanfabrik, a renowned cultural centre that has historically hosted numerous personalities, said the statement.

Wisma Putra said, in a separate session, Saifuddin will be joining a Gala Dinner organised by the Sarawak State Government and Malaysian Club Deutschland (MCD) in conjunction with the 65th Anniversary of Malaysia-Germany Bilateral Relationship.

Germany is Malaysia's largest trading partner, export destination and source of import from the European Union in 2021.

In 2021, Malaysia's total trade with Germany amounted to RM53.95 billion (USD13.02 billion) compared to RM47.92 billion (USD11.42 billion) in 2020. The trade balance is in Malaysia's favour, said Wisma Putra.