Turkey and Montenegro agree to enhance defense ties

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) -Turkey and Montenegro have agreed to collaborate in the defense industry, the Turkish defense minister said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters during an official visit to Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Nurettin Canikli described a meeting with his Montenegrin counterpart Predrag Boskovic as “constructive” and “fruitful".

Canikli said: "We mutually agreed to share our experiences and skills in the defense industry.

"Turkey is ready to meet all demands by Montenegro on the issue. The doors of our defense industry and capacity are open till the end of times for Montenegro."

He emphasized Montenegro's strategic position in the Balkans.

"In this sense, Montenegro's NATO membership will greatly contribute to the continuation of stability in the Balkans in this region, a very big, significant and positive development.

"Likewise, it is important for other demanding countries in the Balkans to finalize NATO membership as soon as possible and join NATO.

"We support with all our heart Montenegro's membership into the European Union as soon as possible. After joining the EU, stability in the region will become even stronger," said Canikli.

He added that concrete steps towards jointly agreed-upon goals will take place when a "business union" will be set up.

"We especially discussed the production of military uniforms and similar products in Montenegro.

"We think it is extremely important for Montenegro to realize an investment in the country will not only meet its own needs but also the needs of the region -- and in the long run -- the EU countries.

"We will reveal more details soon. Montenegro has a technical infrastructure and hopefully we will further develop it in the future."

Earlier, the Turkish minister was welcomed at a military ceremony by the Montenegrin Defense Ministry.