Turkish defense minister talks with Russian, Mongolian counterparts

ANKARA

Turkey's defense minister on Monday spoke separately with his Mongolian and Russian counterparts.

In a phone conversation, Turkey’s Hulusi Akar and Russia’s Sergey Shoygu discussed bilateral and regional defense and security issues, especially the latest situation in Syria, the Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Separately, Akar also met with Mongolian counterpart Gursed Saikhanbayar in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Akar welcomed Gursed, who is visiting to attend the Turkey-Mongolia Joint Economic Commission Meeting.

After a face-to-face meeting, the two defense chiefs chaired talks between their countries’ delegations.

During the meeting, Akar said that there are strong historical and cultural ties between Turkey and Mongolia.

He also stressed the need for more cooperation in the fields of military education and the defense industry, and the importance of cooperation in the fight against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) – the group behind the defeated 2016 coup attempt in Turkey, in which 251 people were killed and 2,734 injured.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

ANKARA

Turkey's defense minister on Monday spoke separately with his Mongolian and Russian counterparts.

Separately, Akar also met with Mongolian counterpart Gursed Saikhanbayar in the Turkish capital Ankara.

Akar welcomed Gursed, who is visiting to attend the Turkey-Mongolia Joint Economic Commission Meeting.

After a face-to-face meeting, the two defense chiefs chaired talks between their countries’ delegations.

During the meeting, Akar said that there are strong historical and cultural ties between Turkey and Mongolia.

Ankara accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.