PM ANWAR OFFICIALLY WELCOMED AT TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL COMPLEX

From Muhammad Saufee Rosman

ANKARA, Jan 7 (Bernama) -- Visiting Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was accorded an official welcoming ceremony by the Turkish Government at the Presidential Complex here today.

Anwar was received by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the complex at 4.30 pm local time (9.30 pm Malaysian time).

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Upon Anwar’s arrival, the Malaysian anthem “Negaraku” and the Turkish anthem “Istiklal Marsi” were played, followed by a guard-of-honour mounted by the Presidential Guard.

Both leaders later held a four-eye meeting and co-chaired the inaugural Malaysia-Turkiye High-Level Strategic Council (HLSC) meeting.

Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, is on an official visit to Turkiye from yesterday until tomorrow at the invitation of President Erdogan. The official visit forms part of efforts to further strengthen the longstanding bilateral ties between the two countries.

Anwar is accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.

The visit reflects the shared commitment of Malaysia and Turkiye to enhance strategic cooperation in a more structured and comprehensive manner, encompassing discussions on collaboration in various fields, including trade and investment, defence industry, technology, education and people-to-people relations.

Malaysia’s total trade with Turkiye from January to November 2025 amounted to RM21.2 billion (USD4.92 billion), with the republic continuing to be an important economic partner for Malaysia.

In 2024, Turkiye was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, largest export destination and fourth-largest source of imports among West Asia countries, with total trade valued at RM24.15 billion (USD5.28 billion).

-- BERNAMA