ANKARA - Chief of General Staff Hilmi Ozkok and Algerian Chief of General Staff Gen. Mohammad Lamari signed on Thursday framework agreement envisaging military and defense cooperation between Turkey and Algeria.
The framework agreement was signed after tete-a-tete meeting of Gen. Ozkok and Gen. Lamari which was closed to the press.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Gen. Ozkok said Military Cooperation Framework Agreement would constitute legal basis of military relations that would be for the first time settled between the two countries.
Gen. Ozkok said this agreement would create new opportunities to diversify future cooperation areas.
Stating that relations between the two countries were rooted in history, Gen. Ozkok said, ''I believe that this agreement would further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries based on friendship, mutual understanding and cooperation.'' He said military relations of the two countries would gain momentum with the agreement.
Gen. Ozkok said the two countries could contribute effectively to installation and maintenance of regional and global peace thanks to this relation refreshed in military.
Gen. Lamari, the guest chief of General Staff, said they had the opportunity to review relations and sign military cooperation agreement during the visit.
Gen. Lamari said he thought the agreement would contribute a cooperation period between the two countries.
Gen. Lamari said under this agreement determining relations, Turkish Armed Forces and National Algerian Peoples Army could make cooperation for bilateral activities.
Gen. Lamari said dialogue between the two countries would be further strengthened after signing of Military and Technical Cooperation Agreement.
(AY-AÖ) 02.10.2003