Erdogan: Turkey emerges as global defence player

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey has become a widely recognised force in the defence industry, both in the region and around the world, thanks to its achievements in the sector.

Erdogan made the remarks during an event titled “100 Years of Friendship: Turkey-US” in New York, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

“Thanks to dialogue with the United States, we are achieving positive results for both countries on many issues, particularly in the Middle East,” Erdogan said.

He added: “We have no intention whatsoever of separating our strategic relations with the United States from our economic and trade relations.”

Erdogan said Turkey had succeeded in maintaining and strengthening its position as an island of stability despite the crises and conflicts surrounding it.

He stressed the need for Ankara and Washington to overcome obstacles that should not have existed between two allies and to move forward with renewed momentum.

“Our relations with Washington in the defence industry must be developed both bilaterally and under the umbrella of NATO,” Erdogan said.

“Our companies have reached a level that enables them to invest in the United States, and I am confident that we will soon join the list of the worlds’ 10 largest defence industry exporters,” he added.

Erdogan said he hoped that the strong ties and alliance between Turkey and the United States would grow stronger in the second century of their diplomatic relations