ISTANBUL (Realist English). Belgium’s Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade, Teo Francken, has described the Turkish regime as a “wise and strong” NATO partner, highlighting its expanding role in defense innovation and regional diplomacy.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency during the IDEF-2025 International Defense Industry Fair in Istanbul, Francken stressed Ankara’s strategic importance and technological progress.
“Turkey’s geopolitical position is extremely complex, which is why the country is investing heavily in its defense sector,” he said. “For me, Turkey is a model to follow.”
Francken praised Turkey’s longstanding role in NATO since joining the alliance in 1952, and emphasized its recent achievements in advanced military technology.
“Turkey is showing remarkable innovation—drones, counter-drone systems, laser technologies. It’s truly impressive,” he said.
The Belgian minister said his visit to IDEF-2025 aimed to lay the groundwork for expanded defense cooperation between Brussels and Ankara.
“We already conduct joint NATO exercises, but they are too few. What we need now is more industrial collaboration,” he noted. “The issue is not a lack of willingness on either side—it’s simply that we’ve lacked deep historical ties in this field. That needs to change.”
Francken added that Belgium hopes to sign a new memorandum of understanding with Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler within the next year to accelerate joint defense initiatives.
