ANKARA - German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung, currently in Ankara for an official visit, had a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Vecdi Gonul in Ankara today.
Speaking to reporters prior to their tete-a-tete meeting, Turkish Defense Minister Gonul remarked that "Turkish-German relations go back for centuries and that Germany is highly important for Turkey".
"Germany happens to be Turkey`s biggest trade partner. Over four million tourists arrive in Turkey from Germany every year. Millions of Turkish nationals live in Germany," noted Gonul.
"The cooperation in the defense area continues between Germany and Turkey within the overall framework of European security," also stated Gonul.
"Germany is Turkey`s biggest partner in the production of minesweepers and submarines. Bi-lateral defense relations will be promoted," he underlined.
Meanwhile, Franz Josef Jung indicated that "as part of Germany`s rotating EU presidency, they have set up some goals in defense. One of them involves military exercises in the Balkans. Germany intends to set up better conditions in the Balkans."
According to Jung, Turkey and Germany have common responsibilities in Afghanistan. ``We must establish security in Afghanistan as we re-build the country``, told Jung.
Jung added that Germany is eager to develop joint projects with Turkey that he qualifies "a reliable and good partner".
On the other hand, Jung had a meeting with Turkish FM & Deputy PM Abdullah Gul. No statement was released after the meeting.
The German minister is expected to hold a press conference at the German Embassy in Ankara later today.