ISTANBUL

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a video call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss bilateral relations between their countries.

Highlighting that relations between the two countries have “moved further on the basis of a comprehensive strategic partnership,” Erdogan said that they welcome the “authority granted to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) for opening a trade office in Malaysia,” according to a statement by Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

Noting that the relations in the defense industry have been a “locomotive,” the Turkish president said that they want to finalize the memorandum of understanding to meet Malaysia's requirements in this field at the earliest.

Underlining the need to establish a strong and determined common stance against attacks on the Muslim holy book, the Quran, Erdogan said that the decisions taken at the Extraordinary Foreign Ministers Meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation are important in this regard.

Erdogan said he would visit “Malaysia at the earliest opportunity” upon the invitation of Ibrahim.

Underlining the importance of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization’s (FETO) inclusion on the list of terrorist organizations in Malaysia, Erdogan said Türkiye expects strong support from Malaysian Prime Minister Ibrahim in this regard.

FETO and its US-based leader Fethullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, in which 253 people were killed and 2,734 wounded in Türkiye.

Ankara also accuses the terror group of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.