Defense Wide-Ranging, Cannot Just Be Carried Out Through Military Means: Turkish Minister

Defense of a country is wide-ranging which cannot just be carried out through military means, the Turkish defense chief said on Tuesday.

"... There is economic security, there is cultural economy and there's cultural security," Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told the 13th Ambassadors Conference in Ankara.

Addressing the Turkish envoys, Akar said Türkiye aims to protect its borders from terrorist organizations via its cross-border operations, and "we have no interest in anyone's land."

Recalling Türkiye's agreements signed with Russia, as well as the US on eliminating terrorists from northern Syria, Akar said: "Although, we have undertaken and fulfilled all responsibilities on our part, our interlocutors have failed to fulfill the promises."

Commenting on the landmark grain export deal brokered by Türkiye and the UN, Akar said Ankara expects the agreement continues to be implemented, without interruptions.

"The current deal is on exporting grain from Ukrainian ports, but talks are ongoing for Russian ports," he added.

On relations with Athens, Akar said despite Greece's moves against Türkiye, Ankara maintains calls for dialogue and negotiation.

Regarding NATO, the defense chief said his country fulfills its duties at NATO in full and expects the same from the 30-member military alliance.

The Turkish minister also talked about the F-16 deal with Washington, stressing that reports coming from the US claim prerequisites given by Congress might be amended in the Senate. -