Defense minister visits Malaysia to strengthen cooperation

KUALA LUMPUR

Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler continued his official visit to Malaysia on Tuesday by meeting with Malaysian Defense Minister Dato Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Upon arriving at the Malaysian Defense Ministry, Güler was welcomed with a military ceremony, where he saluted the Guard of Honor and signed the Book of Honor, according to a statement from the Turkish National Defense Ministry on X.

This visit comes after Güler's meeting on Monday with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, during which he was accompanied by İbrahim Kalın, the head of Turkish intelligence.

The diplomatic engagement highlights a significant step in strengthening defense ties between Türkiye and Malaysia as both nations seek to enhance their bilateral relations.

In 2023, Güler emphasized that Malaysia and Türkiye are strategic partners in Southeast Asia, pointing out that their relationship is founded on historical and cultural ties and principles of mutual respect and cooperation.

Both countries have experienced growing trade cooperation, with agreements facilitating defense industry partnerships, highlighting their commitment to regional security and stability. As members of international organizations like the D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation, they continue to collaborate on issues of mutual interest, reinforcing their strategic alliance.