Türkiye's National Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul met Serbian Defense Minister Zoran Stankovic in Ankara in December 2006, with both sides expressing a shared desire to deepen bilateral relations.
Gonul described the Balkans as a strategically significant region for Türkiye and said Türkiye was eager to expand cooperation with Serbia. He noted that Serbia had made strides in international engagement, including gaining observer status in the Southeastern Europe Defense Ministerial Process.
During his visit, Stankovic toured Turkish defense industry facilities, including Havelsan and Aselsan. He praised Türkiye's military capabilities and its defense industry development, saying his country wanted to benefit from Türkiye's experience in those areas.
Both ministers pointed to counterterrorism as a field where the two countries could usefully exchange knowledge, given that it poses challenges for both nations. The meeting was characterized by both sides as an opportunity to strengthen a relationship that each described as important.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in December 2006, in its own words.