JOINT STATEMENT BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE ON THE OCCASION OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY RECEP TAYYİP ERDOĞAN PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE TO MALAYSIA
JOINT STATEMENT
BETWEEN MALAYSIA AND THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE ON THE OCCASION
OF THE OFFICIAL VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCY RECEP TAYYİP ERDOĞAN
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE TO MALAYSIA
1. The President of the Republic of Türkiye, His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, undertook an official visit to Malaysia on 10 - 11 February 2025 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the Honourable Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
2. During the visit, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held extensive talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on deepening bilateral relations, as well as exchanged views on current regional and international issues.
3. Malaysia and the Republic of Türkiye established diplomatic relations on 17 June 1964. Both countries, having marked the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations last year, enjoy strong bilateral ties, particularly following the elevation of diplomatic relations to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in July 2022. This visit further reaffirmed the solid relations between the two countries.
4. Under the CSP, both countries have decided to further strengthen their dialogue mechanisms in key areas, including political and diplomatic cooperation; trade and investment; halal industry, education and people-to-people ties; defence and security cooperation, including counter terrorism; as well as collaboration on environment, science and technology, technical cooperation and energy.
5. Both Leaders welcomed the increasing high-level interactions between the two countries over the recent years, including the numerous Ministerial-level exchanges. The Leaders encouraged continued dialogue at various levels.
6. The Leaders agreed to convene, at an opportune time, the first Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) at the Foreign Ministers’ level as a key forum to determine and monitor strategic bilateral agenda, as well as review regional and international issues.
7. As a reflection of their undertaking to further intensify and elevate bilateral cooperation, both Leaders agreed to establish a High-Level Strategic Council (HLSC), the details of which are to be mutually agreed.
8. The Leaders underscored the dynamic and complementary nature of trade and economic ties between the two countries, underlined the necessity to address more balanced bilateral trade and expressed confidence in the continued growth of bilateral trade in goods.
9. Both Leaders acknowledged the essential role of the Malaysia-Türkiye Free Trade Agreement (MTFTA), which entered into force in 2015. They also expressed their satisfaction with the expansion of the MTFTA in 2024 to include trade in services, investment and e-commerce.
10. Both Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the full operationalisation of the Trade Preferential System among the Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (TPS-OIC) and D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement (D-8 PTA), and agreed to cooperate for the enhancement of these Agreements.
11. Recognising the critical role of the private sector in advancing economic ties, both Leaders expressed their full support for greater business-to-business collaboration to expand trade and investment opportunities. In this regard, the Leaders welcomed the mutual readiness to establish a Joint Business Council between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Foreign Economic Relations Board (Dış Ekonomik İlişkiler Kurulu - DEİK) of Türkiye to enhance commercial exchanges and unlock new opportunities for sustainable economic cooperation.
12. Both sides emphasized their willingness to strengthen their agricultural cooperation through technical meetings, visits, trainings, and other forms of practical cooperation.
13. Both Leaders reaffirmed their intention to pursue collaboration opportunities in the field of health, medical science, as well as medical device.
14. Recognizing energy security holds a prominent place in the global agenda, both Leaders acknowledged the need to cooperate in the field of energy transition. The two sides emphasized the potential for cooperation in the areas of hydrocarbon and renewable energy projects, and also believed the need for closer dialogue on the matter of critical raw minerals which is vital to realizing future clean energy projects. Both Leaders also recognized and encouraged the role of the private sector in developing programmes, projects and/or cooperative activities to undertake practical cooperation in the areas of energy security and energy transition.
15. Both sides agreed to explore opportunities for collaboration on Zero Waste practices through the exchange of knowledge and best practices in waste management, recycling initiatives and the circular economy. Both sides aim to enhance technical capacity and share best practices in the development and implementation of Zero Waste policies.
16. Both Leaders have expressed their appreciation for the close collaboration on defence matters which is underpinned by a solid legal framework and ongoing Military Dialogue Meetings. The establishment of a government-to-government mechanism for the procurement of defence products in June 2024 was recognized as a significant step in this direction. This collaboration is further demonstrated through various procurements, underscoring the active cooperation on defence science, technology and industry thereby creating a strategic defence ecosystem encompassing the exploration of new areas of cooperation including the transfer of technology, joint development and manufacturing. Both sides believe that this cooperation on defence industry would not only enhance capabilities but also strengthen the shared defence ecosystem.
17. Both Leaders acknowledged the importance of cooperation in tourism and culture between the two countries and encouraged the creation of favourable conditions to attract more Turkish and Malaysian tourists to their respective countries. Additionally, Malaysia extended a warm welcome to Turkish travellers to visit Malaysia in conjunction with the “Visit Malaysia 2026” initiative.
18. The two sides furthermore decided on increased cooperation on civil aviation matters so as to contribute to tourism, people-to people contacts and trade relations.
19. Both Leaders emphasized the importance of exchange programmes between institutions of higher education and research institutes with a view to promoting people-to-people contacts and understanding.
20. Both sides expressed their support for the establishment of a Joint Committee between Türkiye and Malaysia in the field of higher education. Both sides also supported the initiatives aimed at establishing schools so as to enhance cooperation in the field of secondary education.
21. The Leaders reaffirmed their decision to foster deeper and mutually beneficial cooperation in science, technology, and innovation (STI), particularly in the areas of semiconductors, biotechnology, renewable energy, space, and other STI-related fields.
22. The Leaders reached an understanding that the partnership between the two countries in space science, technology and applications has ample potential. The Joint Malaysia-Türkiye Remote Sensing Microsatellite Development Program is a strategically important initiative aimed at advancing the space capabilities of both countries.
23. Recognizing the importance of disaster management, both sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Disaster and Emergency Management as a significant milestone. The Leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in this field by implementing activities under the MoU, including technical training and expertise exchange in search and rescue, as well as collaborative humanitarian relief efforts.
24. Both sides further agreed to enhance cooperation in combatting crimes, especially transnational and organized crime and terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including through information and experience exchange.
25. President Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s strong support for further developing relations with Asian countries and regional institutions in line with its Asia Anew Initiative. In this context, President Erdoğan welcomed Malaysia’s 2025 Chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and expressed confidence that under Malaysia’s stewardship, ASEAN would advance its regional vision of economic integration and sustainability.
26. Both Leaders also welcomed the opportunity for enhanced cooperation through the ASEAN-Türkiye Sectoral Dialogue Partnership. They expressed support for ongoing initiatives guided by the ASEAN-Türkiye Practical Cooperation Areas (2024-2028). Both sides recognised the notable cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, science and technology, tourism, food and agriculture, disaster management, human resource development, education and people-to-people exchanges.
27. Malaysia appreciated Türkiye’s support for ASEAN centrality. Malaysia welcomed Türkiye’s application for Dialogue Partnership, guided by ASEAN principles and processes. Furthermore, Malaysia welcomed Türkiye’s engagement with the regional defence mechanisms and reiterated its support for Türkiye’s application for the 2024-2027 ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus Experts’ Working Group (ADMM-Plus EWG) Observership Programme.
28. Both sides decided to continue their fruitful cooperation on issues of common interest at the international platforms such as the UN, OIC, D-8 as well as at other multilateral frameworks including development banks.
29. Reaffirming their commitment to fostering peace, security, and humanitarian relief in conflict-affected regions, both Leaders stressed the urgent need for recognising the State of Palestine as a full Member of the United Nations, emphasising that this is vital for a just and lasting resolution to the Palestine-Israel conflict. They called on the international community to uphold international law and relevant UN resolutions, reaffirming support for a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as Palestine’s capital. The Leaders urged all parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and cooperation to achieve sustainable peace and stability in the region. Both Leaders emphasised the need for the international community to contribute to the reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
30. The Leaders unequivocally reaffirmed their commitment to the principles and objectives of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and emphasised their shared dedication to safeguarding and protecting the mutual interests of the OIC, as well as uniting efforts of member states to collectively address the pressing challenges facing the Muslim Ummah, particularly in alleviating the ongoing suffering endured by the Palestinian people inflicted by the illegal occupying regime.
31. Recognizing the fact that both countries are members of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation-Computer Emergency Response Team (OIC-CERT), both Leaders acknowledged the potential to explore joint efforts in accelerating transformation of the digital ecosystems, supported by reliable cybersecurity measures.
32. The Leaders expressed their steadfast commitment to advancing partnerships and enhancing economic development cooperation under the Developing Eight Organisation (D-8) and welcomed Azerbaijan’s accession to the D-8.
33. Emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation in addressing hatred against Islam, the Leaders called on the international community to take decisive action against disinformation, xenophobia, racism, and hate speech.
34. The Leaders underlined the importance of the initiatives launched by both countries at the regional and international levels, including the meetings under the ASEAN Chairmanship of Malaysia in 2025, and the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025), an annual global gathering.
35. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed his sincere gratitude and appreciation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation.
36. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan extended an invitation to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to undertake an official visit to the Republic of Türkiye, dates of which will be decided through diplomatic channels.
Putrajaya, 11 February 2025
