Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (Photo: Bernama)Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysia on March 24 announced that the country may stopbuying new fighter jets from European arms companies in retaliation against aplan of the European Union (EU) to curb palm oil use.
TheSoutheast Asian country is the world's second largest palm oil producer afterneighbouring Indonesia, and recently threatened to challenge the EU's plan tophase out the use of palm oil in biofuels at the World Trade Organization.
In hisstrongest statement yet on the proposed curb, Malaysian Prime Minister MahathirMohamad said his country could look elsewhere to upgrade its air force fleet ofRussian Mig-29 fighters, in effect abandoning plans to purchase France's Rafalejet or the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Hestressed that if the EU keeps on taking action against Malaysia’s palm oil, thecountry will think of buying airplanes from China or any other country.
Mahathir'sremarks come ahead of a five-day international defence exhibition starting onMarch 25 on the resort island of Langkawi.
In his letter to French President EmmanuelMacron in January, Mahathir state that Malaysiamay look to restrict import of French products if the European country fails towithdraw plans to ban palm biodiesel.
French lawmakers inDecember 2018 had voted to remove palm oil from the country’s biofuel scheme,starting January 2020.
Theproposed EU delegated act, slated to be tabled before the European Parliamentin April this year, supplements the EU Renewable Energy Directive II torestrict and ban palm oil biofuel altogether by 2030.-VNA
TheSoutheast Asian country is the world's second largest palm oil producer afterneighbouring Indonesia, and recently threatened to challenge the EU's plan tophase out the use of palm oil in biofuels at the World Trade Organization.
In hisstrongest statement yet on the proposed curb, Malaysian Prime Minister MahathirMohamad said his country could look elsewhere to upgrade its air force fleet ofRussian Mig-29 fighters, in effect abandoning plans to purchase France's Rafalejet or the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Hestressed that if the EU keeps on taking action against Malaysia’s palm oil, thecountry will think of buying airplanes from China or any other country.
Mahathir'sremarks come ahead of a five-day international defence exhibition starting onMarch 25 on the resort island of Langkawi.
In his letter to French President EmmanuelMacron in January, Mahathir state that Malaysiamay look to restrict import of French products if the European country fails towithdraw plans to ban palm biodiesel.
French lawmakers inDecember 2018 had voted to remove palm oil from the country’s biofuel scheme,starting January 2020.
Theproposed EU delegated act, slated to be tabled before the European Parliamentin April this year, supplements the EU Renewable Energy Directive II torestrict and ban palm oil biofuel altogether by 2030.-VNA
VNA
