Türkiye, Belgium deepen defence ties with new memorandum of intent

Türkiye and Belgium have taken a step toward strengthening defence cooperation following high-level talks in Ankara, where the two countries signed a Memorandum of Intent involving their defence ministries and industrial authorities. 

Turkish Minister of National Defence Yaşar Güler has today held talks with his Belgian counterpart Theo Francken, who is on an official visit to Ankara, Anadolu Agency reports.

The Belgian minister was received at the Turkish Ministry of National Defence with a formal military ceremony, which included the playing of both countries’ national anthems and an inspection of the honor guard, Anadolu Agency reports.

Following the ceremony, the two sides held closed-door talks, after which a Memorandum of Intent was signed between the Turkish Ministry of National Defence, the Presidency of Defence Industries of Türkiye, and the Belgian Ministry of Defence.

The signing ceremony was attended by Türkiye’s Defense Industries Secretary Haluk Gorgun and 

Lieutenant General Bernard Phaleg, Belgium’s national armaments director.

By Vafa Guliyeva