Najib’s trip to Turkey set to boost bilateral ties, says Anifah

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ISTANBUL: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak’s first official visit to Turkey from Feb 21 to 23 will further enhance the existing excellent bilateral relations and cooperation between Malaysia and Turkey, said Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman.

He said the visit will provide an excellent opportunity for Najib and the Prime Minister of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan to renew their friendship and to exchange views on issues of mutual interests.

“Malaysia is confident that the visit will enhance relations between the two countries to greater heights in the years to come,” Anifah told the Malaysian media delegation ahead of the visit here yesterday.

“Malaysia notes with satisfaction the excellent state of bilateral relations between both countries. There is a strong desire on both sides to further enhance relations in all areas of bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit,” he added.

He said both Malaysia and Turkey should explore ways and means to further strengthen the state of bilateral relations in various fields such as trade and investment, education, tourism, banking, finance, technical assistance and human capacity building, as well as science and technology for mutual benefit.

This is the Prime Minister’s first official visit to Turkey since assuming the premiership in April 2009.

Anifah said the prime minister will be accompanied by Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, as well as ministers of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs, International Trade and Industry, Defence, members of Parliament and senior government officials.

On Feb 21, Najib will call on President Abdullah Gul in Istanbul and the prime minister will then proceed to Ankara.

In Ankara, the programme will include a private meeting with his counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan as well as a delegation meeting between the Malaysian and Turkish delegations headed by the two prime ministers.

Najib is also scheduled to witness the signing of a MoU between SME Corp.

Malaysia and KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development  Organization), Turkey and the agreement between DRB-HICOM Defence  Technologies Sdn Bhd, Malaysia and FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A S, Turkey.

He is also scheduled to participate in the Malaysia-Turkey Business Roundtable Talks organised by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (MIDA) and the Global Movement for Justice, Peace and Dignity co-organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS). — Bernama