President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to begin a pivotal three-nation tour of Asia on Monday, with stops in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, aiming to further enhance Turkiye's established relationships with these key regional partners, reads a Daily Sabah report.
After a busy domestic schedule, Erdogan will embark on his Asia tour from February 10 to February 13. His visit will focus on expanding bilateral cooperation across various sectors, with discussions likely to cover pressing global issues such as the Palestine-Israel conflict, the situation in Syria following the fall of the Baathist regime, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Erdogan’s first destination will be Malaysia, a country he last visited in 2019, which marked a new chapter in Turkish-Malaysian relations. Malaysia, a member of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has been an active partner in diplomatic efforts concerning the Palestinian issue. The country is also closely aligned with Turkiye in defense cooperation, particularly in maritime defense. Last year, Turkish defense giant STM signed an agreement to provide Malaysia with three advanced corvettes, which will be delivered to the Malaysian Navy within the next three years. These ships, which measure nearly 100 meters in length and have a displacement of 2,500 tons, will be capable of carrying over 100 personnel and featuring a helicopter landing platform.
In addition, Malaysia is a key member of the D-8, a bloc formed in 1997 that also includes Turkiye, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Egypt, and Nigeria. Malaysia also chairs ASEAN in 2025 and has been a crucial partner in Turkiye's growing relations with Southeast Asia. The two countries signed a free trade agreement in 2014, the first such deal between Turkiye and an ASEAN member. This agreement covers services, investments, and e-commerce, and has contributed to a significant rise in trade and collaboration, particularly in aerospace, chemicals, and food production.
From Malaysia, Erdogan will head to Indonesia, where discussions will likely center on increasing bilateral trade from the current level of around $1.5 billion to $10 billion. Both countries already share a high-level consultation council and strong educational ties, with nearly 4,500 Indonesian students currently studying in Turkiye. Erdogan’s visit will also focus on enhancing cooperation in the economy, culture, security, and technology. Notably, Turkish and Indonesian defense companies are working together to produce 18 tanks for the Indonesian army, with ten units to be manufactured in Turkiye and the rest in Indonesia.
The final leg of Erdogan’s tour will take him to Pakistan, where relations have reached new heights under his leadership. The two countries have significantly strengthened their defense ties, with Turkiye supplying Pakistan with naval vessels and uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Pakistan was the first nation to acquire Turkish-made naval vessels under the MILGEM project, a cornerstone of Turkiye’s defense exports.
In 2019, Turkiye launched its "Asia Anew" initiative to foster deeper ties with Asian countries, focusing on leveraging regional opportunities for cooperation. The initiative emphasizes a policy based on shared interests and objectives, with approaches tailored to specific regions and countries.
Through this tour, Erdogan aims to build on Turkiye's existing relationships with Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan, reinforcing long-term cooperation in key areas like defense, trade, and diplomatic engagement.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
