Türkiye will never forget the solidarity shown by Brunei Darussalam during the earthquake disaster, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday during a joint news conference with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah in the capital Ankara.
The president thanked the Sultan and the people of Brunei for their support during the testing times after two massive earthquakes hit Türkiye's southeast last month.
Erdoğan noted in their one-on-one meeting that they touched upon global and current developments, including Palestine, the Rohingya crisis, the Ukraine war and anti-Muslim hatred.
The two leaders also discussed the importance of enhancing cooperation in regional and international platforms like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In addition, they exchanged views on Türkiye-Brunei Darussalam relations and joint steps to improve cooperation between the two countries, such as the defense industry, energy, tourism, health care, Islamic finance and halal production.
Erdoğan welcomed Brunei Darussalam's Sultan and an accompanying delegation with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex. Several agreements were signed during the meetings to contribute to the contractual basis of bilateral ties.
"Our cooperation in the culture and education arenas strengthen our ties," he said, adding that the people of Brunei Darussalam attend Turkish courses offered by the Yunus Emre Institute and closely follow Turkish TV series.
For his part, the Sultan reiterated his country's support for Türkiye following the earthquake disaster. "I am sure that Türkiye will overcome this tragedy and emerge stronger," he said.
The bilateral ties between Türkiye and Brunei "have developed tremendously" since 2012, Bolkiah noted, adding that Brunei intends to strengthen cooperation in education, defense, trade and economy while encouraging more people-to-people exchanges.
Türkiye established diplomatic relations with Brunei Darussalam on Jan. 1, 1984.