Malaysia, Türkiye To Finalise ASEAN Plan Of Action By Mid-2027

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Malaysia, as ASEAN’s Country Coordinator for Türkiye, is ready to work closely with Ankara to finalise the ASEAN-Türkiye Plan of Action by the middle of next year, Malaysian Ambassador to Türkiye Adlan Mohd Shaffieq said.

Türkiye’s elevation as ASEAN’s 12th Dialogue Partner is expected to provide a framework for expanding cooperation between Ankara and the Southeast Asian bloc, with Malaysia playing a key coordinating role in the process.

“Malaysia, as ASEAN’s Country Coordinator for Türkiye, stands ready to work closely with Türkiye in finalising the Plan of Action by the middle of next year,” Adlan said in his welcoming remarks at a Malaysia Day reception in Türkiye on Friday.

He described Malaysia-Türkiye relations as “rooted in history, faith, cultural understanding, and a shared outlook of the world,” noting that bilateral ties had deepened through high-level exchanges and growing cooperation across strategic sectors.

In a statement, the Malaysian Embassy in Ankara said the two countries are seeking to expand cooperation in semiconductors, the halal industry, digital economy, artificial intelligence, Islamic finance, renewable energy, and infrastructure, while defence cooperation continues to grow.

At the economic level, it said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed in January to raise bilateral trade from US$5.6 billion last year to US$10 billion within the next five years.

“Education is described as another pillar of the relationship,” the embassy said, adding that both sides are looking to expand academic collaboration and student exchanges.

Tourism links are also growing, with Malaysia expecting around 60,000 Turkish visitors this year and more than 100,000 Malaysians travelling to Türkiye annually, the embassy said.

The reception was attended by Turkish Defence Minister Yaşar Güler as guest of honour and showcased people-to-people ties through Sarawak cultural performances, traditional Turkish folk dances, and Malaysian cuisine.

-- BERNAMA