ISTANBUL: Malaysia–Turkiye strategic ties must go beyond traditional cooperation and translate into concrete initiatives, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.
Zahid said this after a 30-minute meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the 2026 TRT World Forum here yesterday.
“We exchanged views on the need to widen economic and trade relations between our two countries, particularly to raise bilateral trade from US$5.6 billion in 2025 to US$10 billion by 2030.
“As such, the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, which held its first meeting in Ankara in January, is an important mechanism for coordinating priorities.
“It also speeds up the implementation of Malaysia–Turkiye strategic cooperation, in line with the countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” he said in a statement.
Zahid said he also outlined potential areas for cooperation, including investment, the defence industry, technology transfer, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), the halal industry and disaster management.
He said the strategic relationship should be translated into initiatives that open up investment opportunities, strengthen industrial capacity, expand the transfer of expertise and improve the economic competitiveness of both countries.
On Asean–Turkiye relations, Zahid, as country coordinator, reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to strengthening ties between the two, focusing on trade expansion, technology cooperation and human capital development.
He said that Malaysia would continue to pursue constructive, principled diplomacy rooted in national interest, while deepening cooperation with international partners.
He said participation in international forums such as the 2026 TRT World Forum gives Malaysia room to share perspectives, voice the country’s position and strengthen networks with international leaders and policymakers.
“Malaysia will continue to adopt a diplomatic approach that is constructive, principled and anchored in the national interest, while strengthening cooperation with international partners to contribute to peace, stability and prosperity for all,” he said.
Zahid is in Turkiye for a four-day working visit at the invitation of the 2026 TRT World Forum to attend the forum.
He also took part in a panel session titled “Türkiye: From Regional Power to Multi-Regional Actor”.