ANKARA, 2 December 2020: The Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi, who is on a bilateral visit to Turkey from 1-5 December, met here today with the Minister for National Defence of Turkey Hulusi Akar, Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Yaşar Güler, and Commander of the Turkish Naval Forces Admiral Adnan Özbal.
The visiting Pakistani dignitary during his meeting with the Minister for National Defence Hulusi Akar discussed matters pertaining to further boosting defence ties. Both sides discussed progress on the ongoing defence projects including construction of four MILGEM ADA class corvettes as well as mid-life upgrade of Agosta 90B-class submarines. Prospects of initiating joint production projects also came under discussion. Admiral Niazi said Turkey is one of the first foreign countries that he is visiting after assuming the office of the Chief of Naval Staff.
Upon his arrival at the Turkish Naval Forces Headquarters, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi was presented a guard of honour by a contingent of Turkish Navy. In recognition of his services for promotion of cooperation between the two navies, he was decorated with the “Legion of Merit” of the Turkish Armed Forces by his counterpart at an impressive ceremony. Both the commanders earlier held a meeting. Various matters of mutual interest aimed at further promoting ties between the navies of the two brotherly countries were discussed. Admiral Niazi invited Admiral Adnan Özbal to visit Pakistan. He also reiterated an earlier invitation to the Turkish Navy to participate in the forthcoming multinational naval exercise, Aman-2021, being organized by Pakistan in February 2021. Admiral Özbal accepted the invitation to visit Pakistan soon. He also confirmed that Turkish naval vessels will participate in Aman-2021.
Admiral Niazi later on called on the Chief of Turkish General Staff General Yaşar Güler as well as Prof. Dr. Ismail Demir, head of Presidency of Turkish Defence Industries and discussed matters of mutual interest. Earlier, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi visited the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk to pay homage to Turkey’s first president and the great leader of its war of independence.
During their stay in Turkey, Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi will be visiting Gölcük Naval Base and Shipyard, Istanbul Naval Shipyard, and ASFAT which is a state of art military factory specializing in construction of naval platforms.