An official statement from Turkey’s National Defense Ministry expressed that the country’s national defense minister met his UAE counterpart in Abu Dhabi on Monday.
Hulusi Akar discussed with Mohammed Bin Ahmad Al Bowardi bilateral and regional issues, as well as cooperation on military training and the defense industry, according to the Turkish National Defense Ministry.
As it is the first from a Turkish defense minister to the UAE in 15 years, Akar’s visit carries importance.
A major thaw is observed between Turkey and the Arab world after years of tense relations.
The announcement of a $10 billion fund for investments in Turkey was made during a visit from Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to the country in November 2021. Both countries also signed several agreements on energy, environment, finance, and trade.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also visited the UAE in February 2022, and the two countries inked 13 agreements in various fields.
On the same day of Akar’s visit, the Turkish Defense Industries Presidency (SSB) announced that Turkey and the UAE signed two memorandums of understanding in the defense sector.
For a meeting on efforts to boost cooperation in the defense industry, officials and representatives of companies from both countries came together in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
