PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and the European Union (EU) on Wednesday signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) which provides an overarching strategic political framework, complementing and further strengthening the long-standing partnership and cooperation between the two nations.

The PCA, which is the first umbrella agreement between two sides was signed on the sidelines of the inaugural ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit held in Brussels, Belgium also on the same day, according to a statement by the Foreign Ministry today.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir represented the Malaysian government at the signing while the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell Fontelles and the Prime Minister of Czech Republic and Presidency of the EU Council, Petr Fiala, represented the EU and its 27 Member States, respectively.

"It was a historic moment and a significant milestone in Malaysia-EU relations.

"This agreement encompasses 60 articles aimed at enhancing cooperation in wide-ranging areas including political relations, trade and investment, energy, transport, agriculture, finance, maritime and other areas through dialogue and exchange of information," the statement read.

The PCA will enter into force once it has been ratified by Malaysia and the EU Member States.

-- BERNAMA