EU Ambassador and Korea Consul Visit CM

Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to Malaysia, His Excellency, Rafael Daerr, visited Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor, at his office in Menara Kinabalu on 5 February 2026. Hajiji said the government will pursue issues, development and the mutual interests with the European Union. HE Daerr emphasised that Sabah holds a significant position in EU - Malaysia relations, and that Sabah plays a strategic role in the Southeast Asian region which holds vast potential in economics, sustainable development, and international relations. He expressed the European Union's commitment to further strengthen ties with Sabah, building on the strong relations and positive engagement established over recent years.

Hajiji said that Sabah welcomes international cooperation which will benefit bilateral economic growth. Hajiji and Daerr exchanged views on potential future cooperation between the EU and Sabah, building on existing engagements and exploring new, strategic, and high-impact opportunities. Daerr has also attended the launch of the Sabah Timber Legality Assurance System Plus (Sabah TLAS+) booklet on 5 February 2026 in Kota Kinabalu. This system is the first of its kind in the world to comprehensively align legal aspects, deforestation-free requirements under the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), and voluntary sustainability principles within a single integrated framework.

Hajiji also received a courtesy call by Mr. Choi Bongky, the new Consul of the Republic of Korea in Kota Kinabalu.