Minister of National Defence Tea Banh visits an armoured vehicle manufacturer in Turkey. TEA BANH VIA FACEBOOK
Minister of National Defence Tea Banh has returned to the Kingdom following a fruitful state visit to Turkey, where he solidified defence ties and visited armoured vehicle manufacturers.
A post on the ministry’s website noted that Banh met with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar, who praised the meeting as beneficial for boosting military and security ties between the two nations.
The website quoted Akar as saying that although Cambodia and Turkey were separated by quite some distance geographically, the two countries could establish collaborative relations in many sectors, specifically defence.
“Training of the armies, study exchanges in military academies and exchanges of military lecturers . . . we can share our experiences and collaborate to gain knowledge and work together on national defence in the interests of our two countries and for the cause of peace and stability,” Akar was quoted as saying during a meeting with Banh on Thursday in Ankara.
In response, Banh said he wished to strengthen and prepare collaborative relations in the military sectors of the two countries. The countries are looking to boost technical, industrial and military equipment collaborations, he said.
“The two countries have exchanged views along with sharing terrorist intelligence and policies, each other’s experiences and national defence skills. The countries could check policies and consult with each other about them and exchange experiences in the military sector,” Banh said.
The same day Banh met with his counterpart, he also toured Nurol Makina, a manufacturer of tactical wheeled armoured vehicles.
Armoured vehicles produced by the company are used throughout the world in the military, security and peace-keeping sectors.
The delegates also visited the FNSS defence company.
Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Chhum Socheat could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
Former Cambodia National Rescue Party lawmaker Ou Chanroth said the visit was part of developing and strengthening ties to have Turkey become a strategic partner in the defence sector.
“It is good to strengthen relations. But Turkey has less potential in significantly helping Cambodia,” he said.
