France's Hollande plans farewell Asia tour for March

[PARIS] French President Francois Hollande said Wednesday that he would tour several countries in Asia in late March, in what would probably be his last foreign trip of his term.

"I will soon go to Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia", Mr Hollande said during a reception marking the Chinese New Year at the Elysee Palace.

He noted that a "large French community" lives in Singapore, which he called "a country of innovation" that had attracted investments from several French companies.

Malaysia, he added, "has become of France's main economic partners in Asean", the Association of South-east Asian Nations.

As for Indonesia, Mr Hollande said it was "one of the most populous countries in the world and which has the largest number of Muslims in the world, with an Islam that has always been open and tolerant, allowing us to share the same message of peace".

Mr Hollande has decided not to stand for another five-year term in presidential elections to be held in April and May.

AFP