“We aim for a $10-billion sustainable and balanced trade volume with Malaysia”
Speaking at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Ibrahim of Malaysia, President Erdoğan said: “We have decided to increase our bilateral trade volume, which we previously set as $5 billion, to $10 billion. We now aim for a $10-billion sustainable and balanced trade volume with Malaysia, which is our biggest trade partner within the ASEAN region.”
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who is in Kuala Lumpur for official talks, held a joint press conference with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia following their tête-à-tête, the meeting between the delegations and the signing ceremony of agreements.
“WE WILL CONTINUE TO ADVANCE OUR RELATIONS”
Reminding that Türkiye and Malaysia marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations last year, President Erdoğan noted, however, the ties of friendship and brotherhood between the Turkish and Malay peoples date back centuries, and added: “We as the two countries, which have built a comprehensive strategic partnership, draw strength from this very ancient common history and follow the footsteps of our ancestors. We will inshallah continue to advance our relations by establishing a high-level strategic cooperation council in line with the spirit of our comprehensive strategic partnership.”
“WE HAVE DECIDED TO INCREASE OUR BILATERAL TRADE VOLUME TO $10 BILLION”
Drawing attention to the 11 agreements signed in various areas and the joint statement that demonstrates the two countries’ will, President Erdoğan said: “We as Türkiye and Malaysia are on the same page on increasing the activity and diversity in the areas of trade and investments through win-win understanding. We have decided to increase our bilateral trade volume, which we previously set as $5 billion, to $10 billion. We now aim for a $10-billion sustainable and balanced trade volume with Malaysia, which is our biggest trade partner within the ASEAN region. I hope that the business forum to be held today will lead to new cooperation models and investment projects.”
“ISRAEL HAS ONCE AGAIN FAILED TO FULFILL ITS PROMISES”
Underscoring that they have also discussed international matters, the Palestinian cause in particular, during today’s talks, President Erdoğan pointed to the in-kind aid Türkiye has sent to Palestine via over 100 ships, and added: “We follow Malaysia’s stance regarding especially Gaza and Palestine with appreciation. What lies in the essence of the problem is Israel’s insistence on its policy of occupation, invasion and massacre. We have seen that Israel has once again failed to fulfill the promises it has made in the last ceasefire deal, as was the case in the previous ones. Israel must end the occupation it has been maintaining in the Palestinian lands and compensate the losses it has caused. In this sense, the establishment of an independent, sovereign, and territorially integral State of Palestine, based on the 1967 borders, with East al-Quds as its capital, is a must. Türkiye and Malaysia will maintain its efforts to that end and their support to Palestine without slowing down.”
Answering reporters’ questions following his remarks, President Erdoğan, in response to a question regarding the reconstruction of Gaza, said that they are already discussing how they, together with ASEAN member countries, can help Palestine, and what kind of aid both in-kind and cash they can provide, adding that neither Türkiye nor Malaysia can achieve this on their own, but that if they join forces as ASEAN countries, they can overcome the issue.
