Latvia is interested in bilateral cooperation with Turkey in military and military industrial sphere - Pabriks

RIGA - Latvia is interested in bilateral cooperation with Turkey in the military and military industrial sphere, Latvian Defense Minister Artis Pabriks (Development/For) told journalists following a meeting with Turkey's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar in Riga on Thursday. 

Pabriks informed that his talks with Hulusi focused on a number of issues concerning Ukraine and how to take further steps against Russia's aggression.

The officials also discussed numerous aspects of cooperation in the military and military industrial sphere. Turkey is a country with one of the strongest military industries on the continent, and Latvia is interested in a number of things in that context, Pabriks noted.

Akar's visit to Latvia will be followed by a number of activities to develop cooperation between the two countries in the military and military industrial sphere. 

Akar indicated that he had a constructive conversation with his Latvian colleague which touched on various topics and problems, including Ukraine. 

"We support Ukraine's territorial integrity. We are against the conflict's escalation and we are therefore for solving everything in a diplomatic way," Akar said. 

The Turkish minister also said that the two sides discussed how to improve cooperation on military industry. 

Akar arrived in Latvia on a visit Tuesday  During the visit, the defense ministers of Latvia and Turkey will lay flowers at a 19th century cemetery  of Turkish POWs in Cesis. 

Akar will also visit an air base of the Latvian National Armed Forces in Lielvarde to meet with commanders of Latvia's Air Force and learn about the development of the air base. 

Turkey contributes to strengthening regional security by participating in the NATO-led Baltic airspace policing mission. 

Latvian-Turkish defense cooperation takes place in the area of military education and training. Representatives of the National Armed Forces have attended courses held in Ankara as part of NATO's Partnership for Peace program, as well as other seminars and courses at Turkey's military and civilian training centers.