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Türkiye and Malaysia formalized a new high-level strategic partnership on Wednesday during Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's visit to Ankara, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announcing an ambitious $10 billion bilateral trade target and expanded defense cooperation between the two nations.
The leaders held their first Strategic Cooperation Council meeting at the Presidential Complex on Tuesday, where they signed multiple agreements spanning education, investment, defense procurement, and technology sectors. Erdogan expressed confidence that joint efforts would elevate trade volumes to reach the stated goal, emphasizing the historic foundations of Turkish-Malaysian relations.
"We strengthened our friendship between Türkiye and Malaysia, which draws its strength from our ancient history," Erdogan said during a joint press conference following the signing ceremony. He added that both countries aim to reinvigorate investment relationships and increase Malaysian investments in Türkiye.
Defense industry cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with leaders announcing the continuation of existing projects and plans for new joint initiatives based on mutual benefit principles. Among the signed agreements was an acceptance letter between DESAN Shipyards and Malaysia's Ministry of Home Affairs for the purchase of a multipurpose mission vessel.
Erdogan noted that the countries have already completed numerous defense projects together, with many still ongoing. The Turkish president said future cooperation in this sector would proceed according to win-win principles.
Prime Minister Ibrahim offered effusive praise for Erdogan's leadership, particularly regarding his positions on international issues. Ibrahim thanked the Turkish president for his advocacy within the Islamic world, describing him as "the voice of conscience and a courageous leader."
"Your leadership is indisputable; you demonstrate leadership that the whole world knows," Ibrahim said. He specifically commended Erdogan's stance on Palestine and Gaza, stating that in an environment where moral principles have been abandoned and humanity and justice are ignored, Erdogan stood against Israeli military actions.
Ibrahim emphasized Malaysia's support for Türkiye's positions on complex international matters, pledging to stand alongside the Turkish government on contentious global issues.
The bilateral agreements extended beyond defense and trade. A memorandum between Türkiye's Higher Education Council and Malaysia's Ministry of Higher Education was signed, formalizing cooperation in the higher education sector. Officials from both countries' investment promotion agencies also signed agreements to facilitate cross-border investment flows.
Ibrahim highlighted Malaysia's emergence as a significant center for semiconductor production and noted his country's work in new technologies. He characterized cooperation in these areas as highly meaningful, emphasizing that partnerships would be supported by educational and research collaboration between the two nations.
Additional agreements covered information and communication technology cooperation, economic and social research partnerships, and export-import bank collaboration. Erdogan announced he would present Ibrahim with the Order of the Republic, one of Türkiye's highest state honors, during the visit.
The Malaysian prime minister was scheduled to hold additional meetings with Turkish business circles following the official ceremonies.
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