Turkey looks to boost defense ties with Azerbaijan

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan

Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik has called for further enhancement of defense ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan.

Speaking to reporters in the capital Baku following his meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart Zahir Hasanov, Isik said: “We have good cooperation, but it is still under its true potential. Many more steps are needed. We have to cooperate more to counter the threats our sister country faces.”

The Turkish minister also attended the opening ceremony of the International Defense Industry Fair (ADEX 2016) along with his counterparts from Azerbaijan, Djibouti, Serbia, Belarus and United Arab Emirates.

Isik said the fair would help to boost cooperation between Turkish and Azerbaijani firms.

The ADEX 2016, which will run until Sept. 30, is hosting 216 defense companies from 34 countries. Turkey is participating with 42 companies.