UPDATE - Turkish defense minister visits international fair in Poland

UPDATES WITH MEETING OF TURKISH, POLISH DEFENSE MINISTERS

By Sarp Ozer

KIELCE, Poland (AA) – Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Monday visited the MSPO International Defense Industry Exhibition, which is set to begin in Poland's southern city of Kielce on Tuesday.

Akar visited the stands of Turkish companies at the exhibition, where Türkiye joins as the lead nation.

Polish President Andrzej Duda also visited the stands of Turkish defense companies, including Aselsan, Roketsan, and Baykar. Akar informed the president about the Turkish-made weapons, systems, tools, and equipment.

Poland was the first EU and NATO country to buy Turkish-made drones.

Duda also examined the Bayraktar TB2 drones along with Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.

The MSPO, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, is ranked third among all of Europe’s exhibitions, after the Paris and London trade shows. The fair will continue till Friday.

Separately, Akar and Blaszczak held a meeting to discuss bilateral and regional defense issues, and cooperation in the security and defense fields.

Akar stressed the strategic cooperation of the two countries within NATO.

He underscored the continuation of the cooperation in military training, and the importance of further increasing the opportunities in the defense area.

Blaszczak thanked Akar for taking initiative in ensuring a cease-fire between Ukraine and Russia, and his efforts for grain exports.

*Writing by Diyar Guldogan