Ankara: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that his official visit to Turkiye has strengthened and further enhanced bilateral relations and economic cooperation between the two countries. Anwar, who also serves as Finance Minister, emphasized that his three-day visit, initiated by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was a strategic opportunity to explore potential collaborations across multiple fields.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the significance of the visit was underscored by the convening of the first Malaysia-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) Meeting in Ankara. During a press conference prior to his departure, Anwar highlighted the importance of such high-level engagements, which are co-chaired by the President and himself, to ensure strategic decisions are implemented by relevant ministers.

Anwar identified key areas for further strengthening, including investment and trade, as well as strategic cooperation in education, higher education, research, and new technologies. Specific fields of interest include artificial intelligence, energy, and rare earth elements, aiming to broaden bilateral cooperation into high-impact and future-oriented sectors.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to Erdogan and the Turkish government for the warm reception extended to him and the Malaysian delegation. He noted that the exceptional welcome was a testament to the strong friendship and mutual respect between the two nations.

Anwar's visit to Turkiye is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the long-standing bilateral relations between Malaysia and Turkiye. From January to November this year, Malaysia's total trade with Turkiye reached RM21.2 billion (USD4.92 billion), underscoring Turkiye's role as a vital 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).