Page 21 - Diplomatic Voice 2014 -3

FORUM NEWS control over Europe. Professor Dr. Birch also gave her opinion on the issue of Russia occupy- Throughout her simple yet concise ing Crimea. It was in contravention of presentation, Professor Dr. Birch the 1994 Budapest accords, in which described how the combination of ins- Ukraine agreed to renounce its nuclear titutions and ethnic identity has crea- weapons in exchange for Russia’s ted problems for Ukraine’s stability. guarantee that it would respect She also described the corruption is- Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The occu- sues that happened during the leader- pation of Crimea has alienated Russia ship of Viktor Yanukovych, Ukraine’s from the West and drawn Ukraine former president. This corruption mat- closer to Western powers. ters had led to Euromaidan which end- ed violently and resulted in a leader- Professor Dr. Birch believed that the ship vacuum when Yanukovych fled confrontation has left the European Kiev. The revolution positively resulted Union somewhat divided and has put across the globe glad to see a state in a stronger Ukraine when the go- question marks over the possibility of stand up to the West. At the same vernment was replaced by a coalition a real European security policy. The time, many smaller states are also government made up of centrist and confrontation has divided the non- dismayed at the erosion of interna- right-wing parties. Western world with many people tional rule of law. ASEAN Ambassadors’ Lecture Series lippines’ Ambassador to Malaysia, to looked forward to enhancing the inaugurate the lecture series. In his strong ties between the two countries. lecture titled, The Philippines: Trends In terms of trade and investment, he and Prospects, His Excellency Malaya said that Malaysia is The Philippines’ spoke about the remarkable economic ninth largest trading partner, with total growth that The Philippines has been trade amounting to US$ 338.55 million experiencing – 6.8 per cent in GDP in as at June 2014. The Philippines’ 2012 and 7.2 per cent in 2013, and it exports to Malaysia are valued at was one of the best performing eco- approximately US$ 91 million and nomies in the ASEAN region in 2013, imports are valued at about US$ 248 second only to China. He also stated million. His Excellency Malaya also nd that The Philippines is now at 52m acknowledged Malaysia’s invaluable place out of 148 countries in the World assistance as third party facilitator in Economic Forum’s Global Competi- the Mindanao Peace Process. th As part of the Institute’s outreach tiveness Report, compared to its 85n programme on ASEAN and in placing in 2010. Before he ended his lecture, His Ex- conjunction with Malaysia’s Chair- cellency Malaya quoted President manship of ASEAN in 2015, IDFR His Excellency Malaya also spoke on Carlos P. Garcia – the first Philippine recently organised the first of its the stable political economy of The President to visit Malaya in 1961 – “I ASEAN Ambassadors’ Lecture Series Philippines and their foreign policy can feel that the hearts of Malayans on 23 September 2014. priorities and challenges. Regarding beat like that of the Filipinos… We can bilateral relations with Malaysia, he look to a future of better and closer IDFR was honoured to have His Ex- said that The Philippines deeply relations”. cellency J. Eduardo Malaya, The Phi- values its relations with Malaysia and Farewell Dinner for Session 2013/2014 Masters’ Students IDFR hosted a farewell dinner for (Strategy and Diplomacy) programme in Kuala Lumpur and was also attend- students of Session 2013/2014 on 25 August 2014. The dinner was ed by IDFR officials and lecturers from IDFR-UKM Master of Social Sciences held at Restoran Rebung Chef Ismail UKM. DIPLOMATIC VOICE 21