Turkish parliament speaker discusses bilateral ties with Malaysian counterparts

By Yusuf Izzettin Celebi

KUALA LUMPUR (AA) - Turkish Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop on Tuesday discussed bilateral relations with his Malaysian counterparts in Kuala Lumpur.

Sentop met Azhar Azizan Harun and Rais Yatim, heads of the lower and upper chambers of Malaysia’s parliament, and praised bilateral relations between Türkiye and Malaysia.

They have the understanding of the comprehensive bilateral strategic partnership, which includes improving relations between the legislative, executive, and judicial bodies, the Turkish official said, who also chaired delegation level talks.

Dialogue and friendly relations between parliaments should be strengthened in parallel with the relations between governments, Sentop said, adding that Türkiye appreciates Malaysia's efforts to handle the economic and humanitarian crisis in the region, especially after the Feb. 1 military coup in Myanmar.

"Their efforts to stop the ethnic cleansing and genocide attempt against the Rohingya in Myanmar and to provide humanitarian aid to the Rohingya are extremely valuable," he said.

Diplomatic relations between Türkiye and Malaysia were established in 1964. They signed a free trade agreement in 2014.

Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob visited Ankara in July, while King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah came the following month.

After official contacts in Malaysia, Sentop will attend the 8th G-20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on Oct. 5-7.