ISTANBUL: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has concluded his four-day working visit to Turkiye, with engagements focused on strengthening Malaysia-Turkiye ties in trade, defence, education and diplomacy.
The Nov 5-8 visit aimed to sustain momentum in high-level exchanges between the two countries, which have maintained diplomatic relations since June 17, 1964.
It also sought to build on ties elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.
Zahid, who is also rural and regional development minister, began his visit by attending the 2026 TRT World Forum at the Istanbul Congress Centre on Nov 6, at the invitation of the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).
He participated in a panel discussion titled “Turkiye: From Regional Power to Multi-Regional Actor”.
He later met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with both sides discussing plans to increase bilateral trade from US$5.6 billion in 2025 to US$10 billion by 2030.
They also exchanged views on Palestine, Lebanon and Syria, emphasising the protection of civilians, humanitarian access and diplomatic solutions.
Discussions also covered wider cooperation in investment, defence, technology transfer, technical and vocational education and training, halal development and disaster management, with the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council serving as the coordinating mechanism.
Zahid also reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to its role as Asean-Turkiye relations coordinator.
He also met Turkish Vice-President Cevdet Yilmaz, with discussions focusing on investment opportunities in food and beverage, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, electrical and electronics, and defence.
Both sides agreed to work towards a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on defence cooperation.
Malaysia’s military procurement from Turkiye since 2000 is estimated at US$3.4 billion.
On the sidelines of the visit, Zahid met D-8 Secretary-General Sohail Mahmood, who said intra-trade among member countries stood at about US$170 billion, against a target of US$500 billion by 2030.
The D-8 welcomed Malaysia’s proposal to expand halal cooperation, including in Islamic finance, pharmaceuticals and vaccines, and expressed readiness to review the proposal to establish an International Zakat Organisation.
On defence and maritime cooperation, Zahid and Malaysia’s honorary consul in Bursa, Datuk Cevdet Sefer, explored the potential of establishing a ship maintenance, repair and overhaul hub in Bagan Datuk.
He also met Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Dr Tarek Mitri, who expressed appreciation for the contributions of Malaysian peacekeepers serving under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon.
On education, Zahid met Turkiye’s Higher Education Council president Prof Dr Erol Ozvar, with both sides identifying joint PhD programmes, quantum technology and semiconductors as immediate priorities.
Turkiye will prepare draft proposals covering the three areas.
Letters of Collaboration were also exchanged involving Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Universiti Poly-Tech Malaysia, Sabanci University and Yildiz Technical University.
A reciprocal visit by experts has been proposed for the first quarter of 2027.
Zahid also held a high-level policy dialogue with Turkish think tank Foundation for Political, Economic and Social Research (Seta), where both sides agreed to continue strategic dialogue and expand cooperation in policy research.
Seta shared its analysis on Syria, Palestine, United States foreign policy and maritime security, which did not constitute any new Malaysian policy commitment.