Malaysian premier arrives in Ankara to boost ties

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Bin Yaakob arrived Wednesday in the Turkish capital, Ankara, as part of a four-day trip to Türkiye.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will receive the premier Thursday at the presidential palace for meetings.

It is Sabri’s first visit to Türkiye as chief executive of the Southeast Asian nation.

“This visit underscores the great importance Malaysia attaches to its relations and partnership with Türkiye,” according to Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry.

It said the two sides will deliberate on collaboration including in the fields of a post-coronavirus pandemic recovery; defense and aerospace industry and joint efforts to address regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Sabri arrived in Türkiye on Tuesday and spent the day in Istanbul where he met the Malaysian community and Turkish businesses, and inspected the Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport which is owned and managed by Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd.

The Turkish and Malaysian sides are expected to explore commodity trading opportunities as they aim to strengthen economic ties.

Trade between the two countries surpassed $4 billion during the last fiscal year. Türkiye is Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner in the Middle Eastern region.

The two sides are expected to conclude several Memoranda of Understanding in education, health, media and communications, health care and business-to-business collaboration, according to the ministry.