Ankara: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said his official visit to Turkiye has strengthened and further enhanced bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the two countries.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar, who is also Finance Minister, noted that his three-day visit, which began on Tuesday at the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, provided an opportunity to explore potential cooperation across various fields. The visit was marked by the first Malaysia-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) Meeting in Ankara, showcasing both nations’ commitment to this enhanced collaboration.
Anwar emphasized the significance of this development, stating that such high-level bilateral relationships are rare. The HLSCC meeting, jointly chaired by President Erdogan and himself, will lead to implementation of strategic decisions by the respective ministers. Key areas identified for further strengthening include investment and trade, along with strategic cooperation in education, higher education, research, and new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, energy, and rare earth elements.
He highlighted the importance of diversifying bilateral cooperation beyond traditional economic strengths to include high-impact, strategic, and future-oriented sectors. This approach aims to ensure sustained and diversified economic growth for both nations.
Anwar also expressed his gratitude for the warm reception extended by Erdogan and the Turkish government to him and the Malaysian delegation during their stay. He described the welcome as exceptionally warm, reflecting the spirit of friendship and respect towards Malaysia, and noted that some aspects of the reception were beyond expectations, representing an extraordinary honor.
The official visit to Turkiye is part of ongoing efforts to further strengthen the long-standing bilateral relations between the two countries. Malaysia’s total trade with Turkiye from January to November this year reached RM21.2 billion (USD4.92 billion), highlighting Turkiye as a significant economic partner. In 2024, Turkiye was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, largest export destination, and fourth-largest source of imports among West Asian countries, with total trade valued at RM24.15 billion (USD5.28 billion).
