Today the Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser and the Turkish Minister of Defence Sabahattin Cakmakoglu signed the bilateral co-operation frame agreement which will enable the countries to have broader collaboration in different defence areas in the future.
During the delegations’ meeting the sides discussed possible developments of co-operation, international security issues, NATO enlargement and fight against terrorism.
In his statement after signing the agreement the Turkish Minister of Defence said
that Estonian-Turkish relations have always been based on friendship, mutual understanding and sympathy.
“Turkey has supported Estonia in its aspirations to join NATO in the past and will continue to do so till the Prague summit meeting,” Cakmakoglu stated. “Our visit to Estonia has two missions: first, to sign the bilateral agreement and second, to demonstrate Turkey’s support to Estonia’s aspirations to join the Alliance”.
The Estonian Minister of Defence Sven Mikser thanked Turkey for its continuous and firm support. “Today’s act of signing the agreement is a step forward in the very much right direction as it opens new possibilities for further co-operation between the two countries,” Mikser said at the press-conference.
After the meeting in the Ministry of Defence the Tukish Defence Minister Cakmakoglu will visit the Ämari Air Air Sovereignty Centre and meet with the President of Estonia Arnold Rüütel.
Before the meeting with President Rüütel the Turkish Minister of Defence Sabahattin Cakmakoglu and his spouse Mrs. Nurten Cakmakoglu will be hosted for lunch by the Chief of Defence, Vice Admiral Tarmo Kõuts.
The Turkish delegation will depart in the evening of August 15.