KUALA LUMPUR, June 23 ― Malaysia is still keen to pursue negotiations on the Malaysia-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agremeent should the United Kingdom (UK) decide to exit the economic bloc. 

International Trade and Industry Ministry Secretary-General Tan Sri Dr Rebecca Fatima Sta Maria said the EU would still have 27 economies under the bloc that Malaysia could tap into with the FTA.

A referendum is being held today to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the EU.

With the outcome of the EU referendum, Rebecca said the ministry would have to look at necessary adjustments to the negotiations.

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“If it happens that they exit, then we will need to look at engaging the UK separately. Do it bilaterally as opposed as a party to the EU context,” she told reporters after delivering a talk titled “Free Trade Agreements and Economic Integration” organised by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia today.

Rebecca stressed that speculating on Brexit (Britain leaving the EU) was not healthy at this juncture.

“People are just speculating and trying to come to conclusions. I think we should all be patient and wait and see.

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“Even if there is a referendum to exit, the whole process of exiting the EU will take some time. It will not happen overnight,” she added. ― Bernama