Turkey wants good neighborly ties: Defense minister

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey’s new National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Tuesday expressed his hope that Turkey continues its good relations with neighboring countries.

After being sworn into his new office in parliament, Akar said: “We want to continue our lives in peace, prosperity, and security in friendly, harmonious relations with our neighbors.”

He added: “We will continue our fight with ambition and determination to ensure that our nation’s rights and interests come to no harm.”

He vowed to continue striving to ensure Turkey’s security, unity, integrity, sovereignty, and independence by mobilizing national and indigenous resources.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday unveiled Turkey's new 16-minister Cabinet in the capital Ankara.

Akar was appointed Turkish Land Forces commander in 2013 and the military's chief of General Staff in August 2015.