Latest news with #EdgardD.Kagan
Barnama
13-06-2025
- Business
- Barnama
US Reaffirms Commitment to ASEAN Ahead of Malaysia's Key Regional Engagements
United States Ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard D. Kagan, speaks during a special interview held in conjunction with the certificate presentation ceremony for two Malaysian students appointed to attend two of the United States' premier service academies, at the US Chief of Mission's Residence. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- The United States (US) has reaffirmed its firm support for ASEAN's central role in regional affairs and expressed readiness to work closely with Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair for 2025, ahead of a series of high-level ASEAN-related meetings to be hosted by the country later this year. US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan said Washington remains deeply invested in its engagement with ASEAN and is committed to working closely with Malaysia, particularly in the context of its ASEAN Chairmanship. 'We expect to engage effectively in upcoming ASEAN-related engagements,' Kagan told reporters during a press conference at his residence on Friday. bootstrap slideshow The US has been an ASEAN Dialogue Partner since the bloc's founding in 1967 and has consistently supported its development. Kagan emphasised that the US intends to engage at the appropriate level and acknowledged Malaysia's strong track record as an effective leader in ASEAN. He praised Malaysia's longstanding and effective leadership within ASEAN, highlighting the country's consistent efforts in advancing the region's priorities and upholding the bloc's centrality. Meanwhile, Kagan dismissed claims that Southeast Asian nations are shifting closer to Beijing following recent US tariffs and China's growing regional diplomacy, including President Xi Jinping's April visits to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. 'Countries in the region make their own decisions. They have long had strong ties with both the United States and China. We don't view those ties as mutually exclusive,' he said. The ambassador pointed to the robust US-Malaysia economic relationship as proof of Washington's continued engagement in the region, citing Malaysia's significant export volume to the US and the presence of American companies as evidence of deepening economic ties.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
US reaffirms commitment to Asean ahead of Malaysia's key regional engagements
US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan. -- Photo: The Star KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The United States (US) on Friday has reaffirmed its firm support for Asean's central role in regional affairs and expressed readiness to work closely with Malaysia, as the Asean Chair for 2025, ahead of a series of high-level Asean-related meetings to be hosted by the country later this year. US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan said Washington remains deeply invested in its engagement with Asean and is committed to working closely with Malaysia, particularly in the context of its Asean Chairmanship. "We expect to engage effectively in upcoming Asean related engagements,' Kagan told reporters during a press conference at his residence on Friday. The US has been an Asean Dialogue Partner since the bloc's founding in 1967 and has consistently supported its development. Kagan emphasised that the US intends to engage at the appropriate level and acknowledged Malaysia's strong track record as an effective leader in Asean. He praised Malaysia's longstanding and effective leadership within Asean, highlighting the country's consistent efforts in advancing the region's priorities and upholding the bloc's centrality. Meanwhile, Kagan dismissed claims that Southeast Asian nations are shifting closer to Beijing following recent US tariffs and China's growing regional diplomacy, including President Xi Jinping's April visits to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia. "Countries in the region make their own decisions. They have long had strong ties with both the United States and China. We don't view those ties as mutually exclusive,' he said. The ambassador pointed to the robust US-Malaysia economic relationship as proof of Washington's continued engagement in the region, citing Malaysia's significant export volume to the US and the presence of American companies as evidence of deepening economic ties. "Exports to the US are extremely important, and I think that if people had questions about that, they have been reminded in recent months,' he said. Kagan also expressed confidence in the ongoing bilateral trade negotiations between the two countries, commending Malaysia's professionalism and commitment. "I just had the pleasure of seeing MITI Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz. We had a detailed conversation, and I've been very impressed with the seriousness with which Malaysia has approached the trade negotiations. "There's a lot that we can do. I think the relationship is strong, but it can be stronger,' he added, calling for continued good-faith engagement by both governments to further expand trade and economic opportunities. - Bernama
Barnama
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Two Malaysian Cadets Appointed to Top US Military Academies
United States Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan and Assistant Chief of Staff Personnel Services, Malaysian Armed Forces, Major General Datuk Ts Reizal Arif Ismail, pose for a photo with Cadet Luthfil Haikal Haswadi and Cadet Rakis Ruhaim Abdul Rahman at the US Chief of Mission's Residence. --fotoBERNAMA (2025) COPYRIGHT RESERVED KUALA LUMPUR, June 13 (Bernama) -- Two Malaysian cadets have been appointed to the United States (US) top military academies, reflecting the long-standing security and defence partnership between Malaysia and the US. They are Cadet Rakis Ruhaim Abdul Rahman, 22, who will attend the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and Cadet Luthfil Haikal Haswadi, 20, who will be appointed to the US Military Academy in West Point, New York. Both cadets were officially appointed as members of the Class of 2029 during a send-off ceremony hosted by the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. bootstrap slideshow Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan said their selections exemplify the tremendous talent that Malaysia has. He described the the two cadets as impressive, intelligent, articulate and determined individuals. 'This selection process is gruelling and competitive globally, making their achievement even more remarkable,' he said. The ambassador highlighted that only about 15 international students are accepted annually into each US service academy. He also pointed out that while international students make up just one per cent of each academy's student body, they represent a significant leadership pipeline, especially in Southeast Asia. 'The Malaysian Armed Forces have a proud track record of sending cadets to the United States.
The Star
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
UN conference on Palestine unhelpful, likely to cause harm, says US envoy
KUALA LUMPUR: The United States views the upcoming United Nations conference on ending the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict as poorly timed and counterproductive, says diplomat Edgard D. Kagan. The US Ambassador to Malaysia said the event is 'more likely to cause harm' than support efforts to achieve a ceasefire and peace in Gaza. He was responding to a Reuters report on Wednesday (June 11) citing a US diplomatic cable warning countries against participating in the conference, stating that they could face diplomatic consequences. ALSO READ: UN urges 'courage' in saving Mideast two-state solution When asked about the report, Kagan declined to go into the specifics of the so-called 'consequences' stated in the cable, but made it clear that Washington does not support the conference in its current form. 'Our view is that the timing and the content of this is unhelpful and it's... more likely to cause harm to efforts to try and bring about a ceasefire and to try and bring peace to the region than it will to help. 'We don't believe that this will serve the stated goals of the conference itself. We don't believe that it will help bring peace and that it will help end suffering in the region,' he told a press conference at his official residence here on Friday (June 13). Kagan reiterated the United States' longstanding position in support of peace in the Middle East and emphasised the need for countries in the region to work together and coexist. ALSO READ: France calls on Malaysia to join UN conference on Palestine two-state solution He also underlined the importance of reaching a ceasefire and ending the violence in Gaza. According to Reuters, the United States sent a diplomatic cable earlier this week urging governments not to attend the UN meeting, warning that any country taking 'anti-Israel actions' following the conference could be seen as acting against US foreign policy interests and may face diplomatic consequences. The conference, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia and set to take place from June 17 to 20 in New York, aims to revive international momentum for a two-state solution by laying out a roadmap towards the creation of a Palestinian state while ensuring Israel's security. French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to attend, along with other global leaders, though Israel has announced it will not participate. ALSO READ: France could recognise Palestinian state 'in June': Macron UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has backed the initiative, saying the international community must not only support a solution where independent states of Palestine and Israel coexist peacefully, but also 'materialise the conditions to make it happen.' The US cable reportedly described the event as undermining sensitive ceasefire negotiations led by Egypt and Qatar. Israel has also strongly opposed the conference, accusing it of rewarding the Palestinian resistance group Hamas and lobbying France against recognising a Palestinian state.
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
LIMA '25 showcases strong US presence, highlights defence ties with Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA '25) is underway with strong participation from the United States (US), reaffirming its robust defence and economic engagement with Malaysia. US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan said the presence of American defence and aerospace firms at LIMA '25 further reflects the breadth of US-Malaysia ties beyond the military domain. 'From our aircraft and warships to our companies and innovators, the American presence at LIMA '25 demonstrates our robust military and commercial engagement across the region. 'We are proud to stand with Malaysia as partners, friends, and defenders of a free and open Indo-Pacific,' he said in a statement, published on the official website of the US Embassy in Malaysia. More than 400 US military personnel are taking part in the biennial exhibition through static displays, aerial demonstrations, and professional exchanges aimed at strengthening regional security and cooperation. US military units on display include one US Air Force C-130J Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron, 374th Airlift Wing, the US Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), two F/A-18E Super Hornets from Strike Fighter Squadron 137, and one MH-60R from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49. The US Navy's Carrier Air Wing 17, attached to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is also involved in aerial demonstrations with two F/A-18s. Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, Commander of the US 7th Fleet, described Malaysia as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, citing the countries' continued cooperation through joint naval activities. 'Malaysia continues to be a key partner for us in the Indo-Pacific. 'We conduct numerous exercises and exchanges at sea and ashore between our navies every year to advance our close cooperation and maritime domain awareness that makes both our navies better,' he said. Rear Admiral Fred Goldhammer, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, said the reception from Malaysian partners has been exceptional, underscoring the shared commitment to regional stability. 'Our participation in this dynamic showcase of multinational strength is a testament to our ability to operate cohesively across a challenging and evolving maritime landscape. 'Their commitment to regional security and cooperation mirrors our own, and we are honoured to operate alongside them,' he said. Held from May 20 to 24, LIMA '25 is organised by the Malaysian Defence Ministry and brings together regional and international military, industry, and government leaders to showcase advancements in the maritime and aerospace sectors. This year's edition marks the largest maritime and aerospace exhibition in Southeast Asia since LIMA was first held in 1991.
