Both countries also formalised pacts on diplomatic training and furthering scientific collaboration.

The documents were exchanged during a ceremony in Putrajaya witnessed by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is in the country on a two-day official visit.

On the defence sector, Malaysia and Turkey signed MoUs on government-to-government procurement, the establishment of a joint committee for defence products, and communication systems.

The home ministry has also agreed to procure a multi-purpose mission ship for the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) from Turkey’s Desan shipyard.

Agreements to strengthen bilateral media ties by cooperating in audiovisual media services as well as information and communication systems were also signed.

Selangor Aviation & Technology Innovation Sdn Bhd (Selati) has also agreed to partner with Turkey’s Defence Industries Secretariat on smart city, traffic and security system solutions.

On the trade front, the countries exchanged an MoU on consumer protection, market surveillance, and inspection.

Turkey was Malaysia’s third-largest trading partner, largest export destination, and fourth-largest import source among countries in West Asia last year.

Total trade between Malaysia and Turkey reached RM24.13 billion (US$5.28 billion) in 2024, an 18.7% increase from the year before.