By Saadet Gokce
ISTANBUL (AA) - The 2nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit began on Tuesday in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim, in his opening remarks, "expressed appreciation for the presence of all leaders, a strong signal of their shared resolve to strengthen ASEAN-GCC cooperation and to explore broader, forward-looking partnerships for the benefit of their peoples," according to a Facebook post.
He said last year, the GCC ranked as ASEAN’s seventh largest trading partner, with total trade amounting to $130.7 billion.
“Investment flows are rising, underscoring growing confidence in the long-term potential of our partnership,” the premier said.
The ASEAN-GCC Framework of Cooperation 2024–2028 was adopted during the inaugural summit in Riyadh in 2023.
Malaysia is currently the ASEAN chair.