The very good relations between Romania and Turkey are the expression of the excellent political relations between the two countries stated Minister Melescanu, in Ankara, at the end of the meeting with his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul.

The main topic of talks was focused on the bilateral cooperation that was appreciated as very good at Defense Ministers' and the two armed forces' level, including through the participation in international missions under NATO aegis.

During the talks, they stressed the importance of the Summit to be organized next spring in Bucharest.

In this perspective, the two Ministers analyzed the evolution of the environment of security in the Western Balkans and the Black Sea enlarged region and appreciated as absolutely necessary to have a permanent contact to identify the peaceful solutions for the Kosovo province status and for the frozen conflicts in the region.

Occasioned by the visit in Turkey, the Defense Minister had meetings with the representatives of Turkish defense industry and Teodor Melescanu was interested in the way their products ensure the protection of soldiers in the theaters of operations, i.e. the equipment and the technical endowment.

In this context, the Defense Minister underlined that the representatives of the Turkish and Romanian defense industry could run their projects in common.

The Romanian delegation headed by Minister Teodor Melescanu participated in the ceremony of lay of wreaths at Ataturk Mausoleum in Ankara and met the Romanian military personnel acting within Izmir NATO Command. They also visited the Center of Excellency of Defense against Terrorism.

The Romanian Minister of Defense will meet tomorrow the chief of the Turkish General Staff, General Yasar Buyukanit.
The Defense Minister Teodor Melescanu is on a three days official visit, since Monday, in the Republic of Turkey invited by his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul.

MoD Press Office