[{"bbox": [82, 105, 1147, 265], "category": "Text", "text": "The Cooperation Facility will be instrumental to the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy and the EU **Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific**, and its focus on responding to emerging dynamics that are affecting regional stability. The Cooperation Facility will consist of a wide range of tools, initiatives and activities to achieve the objective of advancing EU strategic interests and priorities in Malaysia, of enhancing the EU-Malaysia partnership, and of strengthening Strategic Communication (via public campaigns) and Public Diplomacy (where relevant)."}, {"bbox": [82, 289, 918, 320], "category": "Text", "text": "**The Overall Objective (Impact) of this action is to enhance the EU-Malaysia partnership.**"}, {"bbox": [82, 343, 622, 372], "category": "Text", "text": "**The Specific Objectives (Outcomes) of this action are to:**"}, {"bbox": [109, 371, 770, 398], "category": "List-item", "text": "1. Continue and reinforce EU-Malaysia relations and policy dialogues;"}, {"bbox": [109, 398, 1147, 477], "category": "List-item", "text": "2. Promote an increased alignment between EU-Malaysia interests, principles, policies and values, including human rights and gender equality, with a particular focus on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);"}, {"bbox": [109, 477, 1147, 531], "category": "List-item", "text": "3. Build increased awareness, understanding and approval of the EU and its role in the country, the region and the world through data-driven campaigns targeting new audiences."}, {"bbox": [72, 584, 302, 618], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2. RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [100, 647, 234, 675], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1. Context"}, {"bbox": [82, 691, 1147, 878], "category": "Text", "text": "Since its independence in 1957, Malaysia has remained politically stable, and has experienced rapid economic growth that has put it on a trajectory to reach high-income status. Malaysia's promising economic prospects are supported by well-developed infrastructures, substantial natural resources, notably in oil, gas, forestry and agriculture, as well as globally competitive manufacturing and services sectors. The development has benefitted all ethnic groups, though not evenly and Malaysia continues to struggle with significant structural inequalities. Deep cleavages between ethnic, religious and economic groups as well as between east and peninsular Malaysia are increasingly characterising the country."}, {"bbox": [82, 903, 1147, 1037], "category": "Text", "text": "With the upgrade of EU-ASEAN relations to the level of strategic partners, the EU's relevance as an interlocutor for Malaysia is key for the EU's broader influence in the region. In line with the EU strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, the EU is pursuing a balanced and broad engagement with Malaysia to improve overall relations and to promote universal and shared values on human rights, including gender equality and women's empowerment, labour, democracy, the environment and multilateralism."}, {"bbox": [82, 1061, 1147, 1144], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU and Malaysia signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in December 2022. if the conditions are right, steps could be taken towards a possible resumption of negotiations for an ambitious and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA)."}, {"bbox": [82, 1167, 884, 1196], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU has a strategic interest in strengthening its relationship with Malaysia, because:"}, {"bbox": [121, 1196, 1147, 1251], "category": "List-item", "text": "* Malaysia is an important and committed ally in defence of multilateralism and a rules-based international order; Malaysia can become a partner in security cooperation."}, {"bbox": [121, 1251, 1147, 1306], "category": "List-item", "text": "* Malaysia remains an influential player within ASEAN and can therefore play a significant role in implementing the EU-ASEAN strategic partnership;"}, {"bbox": [121, 1306, 1147, 1358], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The EU has considerable economic interests in Malaysia, a country strategically located between the Melaka Straits and the China Sea where 50% of the world trade circulates."}, {"bbox": [121, 1358, 1147, 1414], "category": "List-item", "text": "* This strategic location gives Malaysia a key role in the successful implementation of the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific."}, {"bbox": [121, 1414, 1147, 1469], "category": "List-item", "text": "* Malaysia is a functioning democracy and a predominantly moderate Muslim country, the EU has a strong interest in Malaysia staying on the path of democracy."}, {"bbox": [121, 1469, 1147, 1552], "category": "List-item", "text": "* Malaysia is host to some of the world's last remaining mega diverse tropical forests – the Malaysian Forest Spine in Peninsular Malaysia and the Heart of Borneo are important global ecosystems, populated by several indigenous peoples' groups."}, {"bbox": [82, 1575, 1147, 1631], "category": "Text", "text": "The Cooperation Facility will be instrumental to the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy and the EU **Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific**, and its focus on responding to emerging dynamics that are affecting"}, {"bbox": [1143, 1661, 1160, 1684], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "4"}]