Holding a joint press conference with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah of Brunei, Erdoğan said: “We have affirmed our determination to advance our cooperation. We have exchanged ideas on investment areas to diversify our economic and trade relations.”

Voicing his pleasure to host Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah and his delegation in Ankara, Erdoğan said: “Sultan Bolkiah's visit to our country in 2012 was a first at the head of state level. In the same year, I also paid a visit to Brunei as Prime Minister. Afterwards, we gave momentum to our relations by mutually opening our embassies in 2013.”

“We exchanged ideas on investment areas to diversify our economic and trade relations”

“We have comprehensively discussed our bilateral relations. We have affirmed our determination to advance our cooperation. We have exchanged ideas on investment areas to diversify our economic and trade relations. We have evaluated cooperation opportunities in the fields of defense industry, construction, agriculture, tourism, health, energy, informatics, Islamic finance and halal production. With the agreements just signed in your presence, we have strengthened the contractual basis of our relations,” Erdoğan said.

“Our cooperation in the fields of culture and education strengthens our social ties. With the contributions of our Archers Foundation, our Embassy and Yunus Emre Institute, Turkish archery lessons are given in Brunei. Our Bruneian brothers and sisters show great interest in Turkish courses. Turkish TV series and movies are closely followed by our Bruneian brothers. In this way, our social relations are growing stronger day by day,” Erdoğan said.

“We have also discussed current global matters. We have discussed issues such as Palestine, Rohingya, Islamophobia and the war in Ukraine. We have also talked about the importance of increasing our cooperation on regional and international platforms, especially ASEAN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation,” Erdoğan said.

“Also, we had the opportunity to talk about the earthquake disaster in 11 of our provinces, which was the occasion for this visit, and we showed them a 12-minute video of the earthquake disaster and when they saw this disaster in person, they really understood the extent of this disaster even more profoundly. As I end my remarks, I, on behalf of myself and my nation, convey my warmest greetings to the friendly and brotherly people of Brunei. We as a country and a nation will never forget the solidarity of Brunei Sultanate during these difficult days. I would like to thank once again my dear brother Sultan Bolkiah and his delegation for their visit,” Erdoğan added. (ILKHA)