Hulusi Akar

Türkiye has "neutralized" nearly 2,000 terrorists in cross-border terror operations in 2022, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on July 9.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar discussed the Ukrainian crisis and the issue of the stranded A400M Turkish aircraft with his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksii Reznikov, on July 8.

There is a general consensus among relevant parties for establishing an operation center in Istanbul and opening a corridor that will enable Ukrainian grain to reach global markets, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on June 23.

"We see that concrete steps can be taken," he told reporters.

The government is seeking to extend the tenure of Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Güler, who normally should retire due to age limitations this August.

A bill submitted to parliament stipulates extending the age limit from 67 to 72 for the chief of general staff.

The fact that Sweden and Finland are providing political, financial and military support to terrorist organizations poses a threat to NATO as well, Türkiye's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said, expressing Ankara's disturbance over the continued arms embargo by some allied countries.

The defense ministers of Greece and Türkiye met on June 16 on the sidelines of a NATO meeting amid renewed tensions between the neighboring countries and allies, Türkiye's defense ministry said.

By George Gilson

Defense ministers of Turkey, Britain and Ukraine had a tripartite meeting and discussed current issues on the sidelines of the NATO defense ministers meeting.

Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, British Defense Minister Ben Wallace and Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, exchanged opinions on regional defense and security issues, and the latest developments in Ukraine on June 16.

A hotline has been established between the defense ministries of Turkey, Ukraine and Russia for making the grain export through the Black Sea possible, the Turkish Defense Ministry has said, expressing hope for accomplishing all technical and military details in the coming days.

Turkey and Greece can resolve their problems only by establishing dialogue and direct contacts, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said, criticizing certain Greek politicians for escalating tension between the two neighbors for their political ambitions.