KUALA LUMPUR: FRANCE is supportive of Malaysia’s stand to engage in dialogues and non-confrontational means to settle disputes in the South China Sea with China.
At the same time, France welcomes Malaysia’s approach towards thwarting the advances of terrorist groups like the Islamic State (IS) who are out to destabilise the world.
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said yesterday his country understood the temptation of China to expand its naval prowess in the South China Sea in view of its claims over territories there.
“At the same time, we also understand the sentiments of stakeholders in the region who are acting within the laws. We ourselves are monitoring the situation from our Pacific bases in New Caledonia and Polynesia.
“Malaysia, for one, is bent on upgrading its deterrence to safeguard its sovereignty and assets, while enhancing maritime security.”
On the IS threat, Le Drian said, like Malaysia, France was committed to combating extremists attempting to expand their influence outside of the Middle East from its base in Syria.
“IS is capable of launching a massive and destructive war as they have significant military assets. They are recruiting terrorists worldwide and this is a worrying thing.”
Le Drian said that France was against extremism and terrorism and was collaborating with its partners like Malaysia, which is chairman of Asean, as well as a UN Security Council member.
“We share a common approach, exchange analysis on threats and risks, complement each other in terms of intelligence, security and defence cooperation.
“We have an annual bilateral platform at the ministerial level to discuss such issues,” he said, referring to next month’s high level committee meeting for defence in Paris to be co-chaired by him and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein.
Le Drian said that France had a long-standing defence cooperation with Malaysia leading to the supply of Scorpene submarines, EC725 helicopters, Airbus A400M transport aircraft, armaments, and command and control systems.
France is bidding to supply the Rafale multi-role combat aircraft for the Royal Malaysian Air Force’s modernisation programme.