ISTANBUL, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak arrived here today for a three-day official visit to enhance existing bilateral relations and cooperation between Malaysia and Turkey.
This is his first official visit to Turkey since assuming the premiership in April 2009.
The prime minister is accompanied by his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, as well as Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Amah, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, and several members of parliament and senior government officials.
Foreign Minister Anifah had said the visit would provide an excellent opportunity for Najib and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to renew their friendship and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.
The special aircraft carrying Najib and his delegation touched down at the Ataturk International Airport here at about 6pm (12pm Malaysian Time).
Najib made a courtesy call on President Abdullah Gul at his Tarabya Residence here before proceeding to Ankara.
In Ankara, his programme includes a private meeting with his counterpart Erdogan as well as a delegation meeting between the Malaysian and Turkish sides, headed by the respective prime ministers.
Najib is also scheduled to witness the signing of an MoU between SME Corp. Malaysia and KOSGEB (Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organisation) of Turkey and an agreement between DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd of Malaysia and FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.S. of Turkey.
He is also scheduled to participate in the Malaysia-Turkey Business Roundtable Talks organised by the Malaysian Industrial Development Authority (Mida) and the Global Movement for Justice, Peace and Dignity co-organised by the Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) and International Movement for a Just World (JUST).
-- BERNAMA
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